Burnley Women are just two wins away from sealing promotion after edging past Halifax on a wet and windy day at Turf Moor.
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Ross Wallace’s side were made to work hard for the three points, but second-half goals from Jade Richards and Millie Ravening secured the 2-0 victory.
It means the Clarets remain four points clear at the top of the National League North table, with Wolves Women also victorious.
While Burnley’s title rivals still have a game in hand to play, if the Clarets win both of their remaining league fixtures they will be crowned champions – sealing a long-awaited promotion to WSL2.
There were two changes to the side that started last week’s 3-0 victory over Derby County, with Burnley-born Naomi Hartley making her first start since November in defence.
Millie Chandarana was the other addition, with Charley Docherty and Emma Siddall taking their places on the bench.
Burnley had the better of the possession and territory from the off and Brenna McPartlan was the first to test Maddie Crosbie with six minutes on the clock.
Jade Richards is mobbed by her team-mates after scoring. Picture: Kevin Hayden Photographyplaceholder image
Jade Richards is mobbed by her team-mates after scoring. Picture: Kevin Hayden Photography
The Halifax ‘keeper was a thorn in the Clarets’ side throughout the first half, producing three fine saves to deny Charlie Chadwick before the half hour.
After two more flying stops to repel Millie Chandarana and Thea Paul, arguably the best of the first 45 came from a Ravening free-kick that looked destined for the top left corner.
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Play restarted in similar fashion to which it paused, with Chadwick being denied by an excellent block before heading Jasmine Matthews’ pinpoint cross into the ground and over.
Caretaker boss Wallace turned to his bench for the first time on the hour, replacing McPartlan and Hartley with Docherty and Siddall respectively.
Both substitutes had an immediate impact, with Siddall teeing up Daniëls for a strike from the edge before Docherty’s own radar was narrowly off from a similar position.
The deadlock was eventually broken with 69 minutes played. Matthews made contact with a corner and after a goalkeeping error, Richards converted from close range at the second time of asking.
Chadwick then made way for Heidi and Ravening had a sighter at goal soon afterwards that she headed over, before putting the result beyond any doubt with 79 on the clock.
Burnley’s number 10 reacted quickest to the loose ball after Crosbie pulled off yet another smart stop, converting the rebound from eight yards for her 18th goal of the season.
Wallace then introduced Izzy Fisher and Tilly Wilkes in place of Ravening and Paul, and the Clarets had control of the remaining minutes to see out a 14th straight league win.
The unbeaten Clarets now have 56 points to their name after 20 matches, with their next action coming against Hull City on Sunday, April 12.
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