WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 2-1 LIVERPOOL FEDS

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Claret Women mark historic inaugural Turf Moor outing with memorable victory over Feds

2023-04-30T15:35:31.503Z

WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 2-1 LIVERPOOL FEDS

Claret Women mark historic inaugural Turf Moor outing with memorable victory over Feds

2023-04-30T15:35:31.503Z

The story of how the 2022/23 season unfolded for the Claret Women month by month…

Burnley FC Women cemented a spot in the Club’s proud 140-year history, stepping out onto the Turf Moor pitch for the first time and claiming a 2-1 win from behind against Liverpool Feds.

Hometown girl Evie Priestley grabbed a leveller midway through the second half to score the Claret Women’s first-ever goal at the Turf after ex-Burnley forward Katie Thomas had handed the visitors an early lead.

Winger Courtney Willis proved to be the matchwinner, coming off the bench to fire home late on, and send a near-3000 crowd into raptures as Jay Bradford’s side rounded off their campaign with three points to seal a 3rd-place finish in the Northern Premier Division of the FA Women’s National League.

Interim Head Coach Bradford made two changes to her side from last weekend’s defeat against Wolves as Georgia Marshall and Lara Miller both dropped out of the side through injury. They were replaced by Emma Taylor and Evie Priestley respectively.

First Half

Visitors Feds stunned the crowd early on as Thomas opened the scoring four minutes in, volleying home after a missed header at the back by Burnley.

Forward is well prepared for August start date

Striker Greenhalgh, playing the last game of her career and ending a 10-year association with Burnley, then had the ball in the back of the net at the other end, but saw what would’ve been an equaliser ruled out.

She struck home at the second attempt, but it was disallowed for an offside after the ball struck Laura Elford who was beyond Greenhalgh.

Priestley also had a shot well kept out by Feds ‘keeper Rachel Darbyshire one-on-one, before Leah Embley earned Burnley a penalty 16 minutes in which Darbyshire – who had felled her - saved well to keep the visitors in front.

Striker Priestley was the next to have an effort on goal held, while Ellie Fletcher fired over for Leanne Duffy’s side.

And rounding off the opening 45 minutes was Dom Cooper, who rattled the underside of the crossbar from distance late on, with Ravening heading the follow-up over.

WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 2-1 LIVERPOOL FEDS - Image 2

Second Half

Coming out strong at the restart, Cooper had another effort tipped behind by Darbyshire with Priestley heading over at the resulting corner.

Eventually, and aptly, the leveller – and the Claret Women’s first-ever goal at Turf Moor – came via the head of Burnley fan Priestley on 69 minutes. The striker nodded over Darbyshire at close range after the ‘keeper had kept out an initial effort from her and one from Lucia Molinari, sparking scenes of jubilation.

Elford dragged a strike wide moments later, and Burnley were oncemore kept at bay when Darbyshire tipped Ravening’s header around the post.

The barrage of pressure on the Feds goal would though pay off with the winner with five minutes remaining as super sub Courtney Willis – who works in the Sports Science department at the Club – found the back of the net.

Ravening picked out Cooper at the back post who kept the ball alive for Elford to head goalwards, and when that effort was cleared, Willis was right on cue to hammer home through numerous bodies on the line amidst a scramble.

GOALSCORERS BUZZING WITH WIN ON FIRST TURF OUTING - Image 3

Burnley: Bracewell ©, Cooper, Taylor, Walsh, Molinari, Embley (Willis ’80), Hamer, Ravening, Elford, Priestley, S Greenhalgh (O Greenhalgh ’62)

Unused Subs: Farrell, Wilson, Coleman-Evans

Liverpool Feds: Darbyshire, Kinvig-Wardale, Jukes, Fletcher, Smith, Johnson (Pope ’61), Thompson ©, Seagreaves (Donoghue ’65), Parry (Molly ’84), Thomas (Douglas ’81), Cole (Deveraux ’81)

Unused Subs: None

Goals: Thomas, ‘4, Priestley, ’69, Willis, ‘85