WOMEN’S REPORT: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1-2 BURNLEY

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Claret Women battle to hard-fought victory at Baggies

2023-04-16T16:17:24.811Z

WOMEN’S REPORT: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1-2 BURNLEY

Claret Women battle to hard-fought victory at Baggies

2023-04-16T16:17:24.811Z

WOMEN’S PREVIEW: BURNLEY V WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS - Image 2

In their final away fixture of the season, Burnley FC Women beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at The Hawthorns.

The Clarets opened the scoring after six minutes through Lizzie Hamer before Kerry Walklett equalised to take the teams into the break level.

Laura Elford netted just before the hour mark to secure the three points for the Claret Women as they managed to hold off late Baggies forays forward.

Interim Head Coach Jay Bradford made three changes to the side that were victorious in the LFA Women’s Senior Cup Final against Darwen FC Ladies, with Georgia Marshall, Lara Miller and Elford returning to the side in place of Lucia Molinari, Olivia Greenhalgh and Sarah Greenhalgh.

First Half

The Claret Women started this one well at the Hawthorns, with Leah Embley trying her luck early on with a shot from distance that flew narrowly over Charlotte Clarke’s crossbar.

ELFORD EAGER TO GET GOING AGAIN - Image 4

And moments later Bradford’s side found themselves in front as Elford was played through on goal and she squared for strike partner Evie Priestley who managed to flick the ball back for Lizzie Hamer to smash the ball home from the edge of the area.

The Baggies levelled on 13 minutes despite the quick Burnley start, when Hannah George took aim from range and her low strike was deflected towards goal by Kerry Walklett who managed to wrongfoot Lucy Farrell as the ball bounced into the back of the net.

A couple of half chances followed, with Elford drilling a low shot wide of Clarke’s far post and Dudley-Jones sending a strike towards goal that met the same outcome.

Millie Ravening came close to putting the Clarets back in front six minutes before half time as after Priestley was fouled 25 yards from goal, the midfielder stepped up and curled a free kick towards goal that came back off the inside of the post.

Burnley top scorer Ravening had a half chance just before the break, seeing an outside of the foot shot blocked as Shannon Stamps had the last effort of the half – a free kick from 25 yards out – which flew over the bar.

WOMEN’S REPORT: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1-2 BURNLEY - Image 2

Second Half

The Clarets pushed forward early in the second half with Hamer almost adding her second of the game, as Ravening teed her up and her curled effort – which was heading towards the back of the net – was deflected behind by an Albion defender.

After Embley fired a shot against the side netting, Burnley made no mistake with their next opportunity. Ravening drove forward as slipped the ball out wide to Embley who’s cross to the back post was met sweetly by Elford’s volley that flew into the back of the net.

The Claret Women then went in search of a third as Hamer saw a strike parried by Clarke before Embley saw her follow up well blocked.

Bradford’s side almost established a two-goal advantage as substitute Sarah Greenhalgh broke into the box and tried her luck with a clever chip from a tight angle which needed a good save from Clarke to tip it over.

The hosts tried to break the Claret Women down in the last 10 minutes, but Burnley held on for the three points on the road.

TAYLOR LOOKS BACK ON ‘INVALUABLE’ LOAN SPELL WITH CLARETS - Image 1

The Women’s side are back in action next Sunday – 23rd April – when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at home with the venue to be confirmed imminently (2pm KO).

West Brom: Clarke, George, Loydon, Walklett (Cole ’78), Green (Cottrell ’46), Dudley-Jones (R Embley ’78), Stamps, Timms, Warner (Mahmood ’66), Evans (Tudor ’78), Newell

Unused Subs: N/A

Burnley: Farrell, Taylor, Marshall, Walsh, Cooper, Miller, L Embley, Ravening, Hamer, Priestley (S Greenhalgh ’75), Elford

Unused Subs: Bracewell, Molinari, O Greenhalgh, Willis

Goals: Hamer, ‘6, Walklett, ’13, Elford, ‘57