Tilly Wilkes shoots narrowly wide during the first half
Tilly Wilkes shoots narrowly wide during the first half
Burnley Women produced an encouraging performance but were unable to find a goal scoring touch as they drew 0-0 with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.
Manager Matt Beard reverted to the same XI that started our opening day league victory over Middlesbrough, with Kirstie Levell in goal and Mel Lawley and Claudia Walker leading the line.
The only change to the substitutes bench from last weekend was the introduction of Abbey- Leigh Stringer, following her midweek appearance against Chorley in the FAWNL Cup.
After a well-contested start Wolves had the first chance of note in the 13th minute.
Amy Sims reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area and her effort looked goal bound, but Jasmine Matthews produced a fantastic clearance from under the bar.
The Clarets responded with a chance of their own soon afterwards, but Tilly Wilkes’ volley was just wide at the back post.
Beard’s side dictated the tempo and had the better of the territory for the rest of the first half, but neither side were able to work their opposing goalkeeper.
The manager turned to his bench at half-time, replacing Emma Siddall and Wilkes with Naomi Hartley and Alethea Paul respectively.
Paul had an immediate impact when she crossed for Walker, but the striker’s header was cleared away.
Further changes saw Stringer replace McPartlan and Heidi later replaced Lawley, with the Clarets starting to turn the screw.
Ravening continued to look threatening and after a loose touch cost her a shooting opportunity, she headed a Jasmine Matthews cross narrowly wide.
Beard introduced Mille Chandarana with 13 minutes to play and the midfielder set up what was perhaps Burnley’s best chance with 88 on the clock.
The summer addition crossed for Docherty, who advanced onto it and shot over from eight yards.
Wolves came close to nicking a late goal of their own, but Levell produced a fine reactionary save to deny former Claret Georgia Marshall from a set-piece.
With four points from a possible six the Clarets sit 3rd in the Northern Premier Division of the Women’s National League and host Loughborough Lightning next week.
Burnley: Levell, Docherty, Siddall (Hartley 46), McPartlan (Stringer 57), Matthews, Walker, Ravening (Chandarana 77), Lawley (Heidi 67), Bradley, Daniëls, Wilkes (Paul 46)
Unused Substitutes: Spencer, Chadwick
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Brooks, Harkin, Marshall, Hughes (Quigley 78), Greengrass (Merrick 53), Johnson (Williams 65), Sims, Anderson, Roberts, Jenner, Worsey
Unused Substitutes: Thomas, Grey, Cross, Loydon