Claudia Walker celebrates opening the scoring with her team-mates Picture: Kevin Hayden Photography
Claudia Walker celebrates opening the scoring with her team-mates Picture: Kevin Hayden Photography
First-half goals from Claudia Walker and Millie Ravening were enough to earn Burnley Women a 2-1 victory over Sporting Khalsa on Sunday afternoon.
Captain Megan Cann pulled one back for the hosts at the Guardian Warehousing Arena, but the Clarets did enough to earn a deserved three points that keep them top of the table.
Lou Roberts reverted to the team that has started every league fixture to date this season barring one change – with Jade Richards replacing Jasmine Matthews.
Last week’s FAWNL Cup brace scorer Charlie Chadwick was on the bench, joined by Heidi Logan who also netted against Huddersfield Town.
The Clarets started like a house on fire once again, scoring twice in the opening 11 minutes.
Walker’s goal came after just 23 seconds when the striker got across her defender at the near post to sweep home Charley Docherty’s pinpoint pass.
Brenna McPartlan then got her head onto a Tilly Wilkes corner at the back post, giving Ravening a tap in from two yards.
Roberts’ side dominated the ball for the entirety of the first half and had two late chances to extend their lead.
After Docherty cut in from the right touchline and forced Elise Stocking into a fine save at her near post, Mel Lawley turned on the left edge of the box and shot straight down the Khalsa ‘keeper’s throat.
With manager Juan Dopazo’s half-time words ringing in their ears, the hosts halved their deficit five minutes after the restart.
Burnley were unable to clear their lines from a corner and captain Cann swept a looping finish into the top right corner from 18 yards.
That gave Khalsa confidence and Clarets ‘keeper Kirstie Levell prevented an equaliser when she made herself big to deny Skye Owen one-on-one.
Olivia Stubbs and Ania Denham also flashed efforts wide of Levell’s goal before Roberts turned to her bench for the first time in the 78th minute.
Daniëls and Walker made way for Chandarana and Chadwick respectively, and Thea Paul later replaced Wilkes as the Clarets continued to repel their opponents.
Khalsa were unable to create any chances of note and with 10 points from a possible 12, Burnley stay top of the Northern Premier Division of the Women’s National League on goal difference.
Next up is a trip to West Bromwich Albion's Alexander Stadium on Sunday 21st September, with kick-off at 2pm.
Burnley: Levell, Docherty, Siddall, McPartlan, Walker (Chadwick 78), Ravening, Richards, Lawley, Bradley, Daniels (Chandarana 78), Wilkes (Paul 84)
Unused Substitutes: Spencer, Logan, Hartley, Stringer
Sporting Khalsa: Stocking, Thompson-Moulding, Tweedie, Cann, Denham, Winters, Wickett, Williams, Acton, Stubbs, Owen
Unused Substitutes: Green, Davies, Walker, Tomkins, Philpott, Smith, Harvey
Goals: Walker 1’, Ravening 11’, Cann 50’