Matt Beard’s reign as Burnley Women manager got off to an impressive start with an opening day thrashing of Middlesbrough.
[placeholder image
Read More
Scott Parker makes Burnley quality admission following Tottenham opener](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/scott-parker-makes-burnley-quality-admission-following-tottenham-opener-5275163 "Scott Parker makes Burnley quality admission following Tottenham opener")
Mel Lawley netted a brace as the Clarets breezed to a 5-0 demolition at the County Ground in Leyland, with Claudia Walker, the returning Millie Ravening and Thea Paul also getting on the scoresheet.
The victory, Burnley’s sixth straight triumph on the opening weekend, was just the tonic Beard needed in his first game in charge following his summer appointment.
There were two changes from the side that kicked off Burnley’s last pre-season friendly against Lazio, with Kirstie Levell returning in goal and Charley Docherty earning a start following her late goal against the Italians.
Tilly Wilkes captained the team at left wing-back, with Yana Daniëls pushing forwards to support Brenna McPartlan in central midfield.
The Clarets dominated from the off and it didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken.
Walker rolled her defender to latch on to McPartlan’s through-ball and the striker coolly picked out the bottom right corner one-on-one.
Millie Ravening shoots at goal during the first half. Picture: Burnley FCplaceholder image
Millie Ravening shoots at goal during the first half. Picture: Burnley FC
Everton loanee Lawley looked threatening throughout and made it 2-0 in the 26th minute. After working a yard of space, her left-footed effort was too powerful for Megan Borthwick in the Middlesbrough goal.
The visitors had a positive spell shortly after the half-hour and after two failed attempts to clear a corner, Daniëls produced a stunning goal-line header to thwart Olivia Watt.
Ravening then marked her second Burnley debut on the stroke of half-time, powering a first-time finish home after strong hold-up play from Walker.
It was 4-0 six minutes after the restart and Ravening turned provider, delivering a delicious ball for Lawley to volley in her second of the afternoon.
Beard withdrew Ravening for debutant Millie Chandarana on the hour, and further changes saw Heidi Logan replace Lawley at the same time as Naomi Hartley took the place of Docherty.
Logan’s pace almost bore fruit immediately when she raced onto an inch-perfect over-the-top ball and forced Boro’s substitute ‘keeper Ruby Cook into a fine save.
Burnley’s final two switches saw Paul replace Jasmine Matthews before Charlie Chadwick came on for Walker, and Paul rounded off a five-star team display as the clock hit 90.
The returning Claret provided a deep cross that looped over everybody and nestled into the far corner, crowning a fine start to the 2025/26 Northern Premier Division of the Women’s National League season.
Next up is a trip to Chorley in the FA Women’s National League Cup on Thursday, August 21, which kicks off at 7.45pm.
Burnley: Levell, Docherty (Hartley 73), Siddall, McPartlan, Matthews (Paul 83), Walker (Chadwick 86), Ravening (Chandarana 62), Lawley (Logan 73), Bradley, Daniëls, Wilkes
Unused Substitutes: Spencer, McDaniel
Middlesbrough: Borthwick (Cook 52), Watt (Foster 70), Packham, Towers, Turnbull, Maxwell, Robson (Nelson 46), Giles, Bell, Ferguson (Mett 65), Boyes
Unused Substitutes: Skelton, Callander
Continue Reading