WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

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Claret Women share spoils with Forest on Leyland return

2022-10-09T16:15:56.150Z

WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Claret Women share spoils with Forest on Leyland return

2022-10-09T16:15:56.150Z

RAVENING SCOOPS TOP SCORER AWARD - Image 1

Burnley FC Women took a point from a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest Women in the Northern Premier Division of the FA Women’s National League, continuing their unbeaten run this season.

In what was their first home game for four weeks, the Claret Women had been heading for only their second defeat this calendar year before Millie Ravening’s 78th minute header salvaged the point against Forest.

Jonathan Morgan brought Lizzie Hamer and Olivia Greenhalgh in from the off. They replaced Jess Simpson and Alanta Brown in the starting lineup in the two changes from last week’s win at Wolverhampton Wanderers Women which sent Burnley top of the league table.

Courtney Willis, Lucia Molinari, Sarah Greenhalgh & Aimee Kelly made up the bench alongside goalkeeper Lucy Farrell.

First Half

A slow start to the game saw goalmouth action limited at both ends, though after Evie Priestley had stung the palms of Emily Batty in the Forest goal, it was the visitors who took the lead on 17 minutes.

Hayley James met a set-piece delivery in the air to head down for striker Charlotte Greengrass to volley home at close range.

WOMEN’S LEAGUE CUP QF PREVIEW: NOTTINGHAM FOREST V BURNLEY - Image 1

Soon after, Niamh Reynolds volleyed straight at Clarets ‘keeper and captain Lauren Bracewell, while the shot stopper also had to react well to deny Mai Moncaster after the half-hour mark.

Burnley’s number one was kept busy towards the end of the opening 45 minutes, tipping a corner over which had been heading for the back of the net directly and seeing a strike from distance by Rebecca Anderson go inches wide.

The Claret Women searched for a route back into the game before the interval and had Ravening go close just prior to the half-time whistle, though it remained 1-0 at come the break.

Second Half

The hunt for the leveller continued at the restart, and on 49 minutes all at the County Ground were left puzzled by how it hadn’t happened. Leah Embley’s cross from the right was fumbled by Batty and when Priestley struck the rebound back at goal, defender James somehow got her body in the way to send the ball onto the post.

WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 1-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST - Image 2

It bounced back out to Hamer who crossed for Ravening, and the midfielder glanced wide with the chance going begging.

Batty then produced heroics to keep out Emma Taylor’s header from Dom Cooper’s corner at point-blank range, while at the other end Sophie Domingo volleyed over & Bracewell held onto a header from Greengrass.

Niamh Reynolds was the next to test Bracewell, who did well to hold onto the effort from inside the area, before Burnley were denied their equaliser by a contentious decision from referee David Mitchell.

Ellie May struck home after Batty appeared to fumble the ball under pressure from substitute Sarah Greenhalgh, but the goal was chalked off for a decision of a foul by Greenhalgh.

Bracewell made another fine save on 73 minutes, this time denying Domingo, before the leveller eventually came five minutes later via Ravening’s header. Hamer crossed the ball in from the left wing and when it bounced, the midfielder adjusted her body quickly to get to it, and guide past the advancing Batty.

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Both sides pushed for a late winner after that, with pressure built at both ends, but neither were able to find a decisive touch to take all three points.

Morgan’s side – who still sit top of the league – are now back in action on Wednesday night, October 12, at Brighouse Town Women (19:45 KO).

Burnley: Bracewell, Cooper, Taylor, Walsh, Hamer, Kinzett, O Greenhalgh (Molinari ’67), Ravening, Embley (S Greenhalgh ’64), Priestley, May (Willis ‘90+6)

Unused Subs: Farrell, Kelly

Forest: Batty, Harkin ©, Steggles, Domingo, Moncaster, West, Reynolds, Anderson, James, Greengrass, Powell

Subs: Hewitt, Cook, Daniels, Mitchell, Taylor

Goals: Greengrass, ’17, Ravening, ‘78