WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 6-1 MIDDLESBROUGH

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Free scoring Claret Women end season with another big win at home to Boro

2022-05-08T16:57:36.119Z

WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 6-1 MIDDLESBROUGH

Free scoring Claret Women end season with another big win at home to Boro

2022-05-08T16:57:36.119Z

Free scoring Claret Women end season with another big win at home to Boro

Burnley FC Women rounded off an impressive campaign in the FA Women’s National League North with a 6-1 victory against Middlesbrough FC Women on Sunday afternoon (May 8).

Striker Evie Priestley grabbed a hat-trick while Dom Cooper, Nic Worthington and Katie Thomas also all got their name on the scoresheet as the side ended the season with 70 league goals between them.

With the final match of the season re-arranged from last Sunday, two changes were made to the starting line up from Burnley’s previous outing, an 8-0 win away against West Bromwich Albion Women on April 24.

Unavailable, Dani Cooper and Millie Ravening were replaced by Mel Brown and Hollie Kelsh respectively. Defender Sammy Fleck meanwhile returned to take her place amongst the substitutes at a sun-kissed Gawthorpe.

Before the game, both teams took part in a minutes’ applause in memory of Neil Campbell who sadly passed away last week, the late brother of ‘Boro manager Andy. The thoughts of everybody at Burnley FC Women remain with Andy and his family, the Club’s players, and all staff at Middlesbrough Women during this difficult time.

WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 6-1 MIDDLESBROUGH - Image 1

First Half

As so often this season, Burnley came out of the starting blocks quick and got themselves ahead early on. Midfielder Kelsh was fouled inside the box on seven minutes, earning a penalty, with Priestley taking care of the rest dispatching from 12 yards out.

Dom Cooper then crossed for Olivia Wilson to strike at goal on the half volley, though ‘Boro goalkeeper Kayley Dunn held onto that effort.

At the quarter-of-an-hour mark, the visitors however got themselves back on level terms through Armani Maxwell, who slotted home from inside the box following a defensive error.

From there onwards though, the hosts were on top and saw a shot from Worthington held onto by Dunn before getting back in front on the scoreline through Dom Cooper on 36 minutes.

Driving forward having come on from the bench as an early change, Lucia Molinari opened her body up to shoot but got tackled and as the ball fell back to her, Cooper hit home with a sweet finish into the bottom corner.

Cooper could’ve had a second within 60 seconds, volleying over the bar having met Meg Dykes’ cross which evaded Dunn, while Priestley also surged into the area and saw Dunn save another effort after the striker had spun away from her two markers.

Persistence did eventually pay off with a third prior to the interval, Worthington the scorer this time around on 44 minutes. After another shot from Priestley had earned the Claret Women a corner, a well-executed set piece off the training ground saw the ball with Worthington who swung into the top corner of the net with a curling effort.

WOMEN’S REPORT: BURNLEY 6-1 MIDDLESBROUGH - Image 2

Second Half

Two to the good at the restart, it took Burnley a while to add to the goal tally with Sarah Greenhalgh having a shot kept out on 58 minutes, but a fourth of the afternoon was to come seven minutes later via top scorer Priestley who slotted into the bottom corner.

Courtney Willis also fired wide not long after at the left edge of the box before Priestley rounded off an impressive season in front of goal with her hat-trick on 69 minutes. Worthington tried her luck with a free-kick from range which was spilled by Dunn, and the striker was on hand to head home the rebound.

In a contest which became scrappy, the Claret Women rarely looked troubled, enjoying a lot of possession. Molinari had a shot held while at the other end Leanna Giles looked to hit one from distance, but didn’t bring Burnley ‘keeper – and captain – Lauren Bracewell into action.

Substitute Thomas then put the seal on a memorable campaign three minutes from time, bringing down a ball into the box from Worthington to dink over Dunn and into the back of the net for Burnley’s sixth of the day.

The Claret women end the season as top goal scorers in the FA Women’s National League North, finishing in 4th place with the future looking bright for the next campaign.

Burnley: Bracewell ©, Cooper, Brown (O Greenhalgh ’62), Wilson, Dykes, Hamer, Kelsh (Molinari ’18), Worthington, Willis, Priestley, S Greenhalgh (Thomas ’62)

Unused Subs: Farrell, Fleck

Middlesbrough: Dunn, Boyle, Serginson (Curle ’66), Foster, A Robson, Giles, Whitaker, Dobson (Ward HT), Maxwell, Longcake, Jones (H Robson ’59)

Unused Subs: N/A

Goals: Priestley, ‘7, ’62 & ’69, Maxwell, ’15, Dom Cooper, ’36, Worthington, ’44, Thomas, ‘87