Burnley Women slip into relegation zone with another defeat
Burnley Women’s poor start to their inaugural Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) campaign continued with another defeat - this time at the hands of Nottingham Forest.
The winless Clarets drop into the relegation zone following their 2-0 setback at the City Ground.
It was another game in which Jackie Bachteler’s side have failed to score, having found the back of the net just once in their five games to date.
Bachteler named an unchanged XI from last week’s draw with Bristol City, meaning Jackie Burns earned a third straight start in goal.
The defence in front of her included Maddi Wilde on her 23rd birthday, while former Forest players Jessica Hennessy and Charlie Wellings took their places on the bench.
It was a quiet start to proceedings in the East Midlands, with the Clarets enjoying a good amount of the possession and moving the ball nicely.
Forest’s Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah had the first sight at goal but could only drag her shot wide having been played through, before Georgia Brougham later headed straight at Burns.
However, the hosts put their foot on the gas as half-time approached and eventually found the opener in the 43rd minute.
A quick throw presented the ball to Boye-Hlorkah’s and after a neat turn, she crossed for Tuva Espas to convert on the slide from close range.
Wellings replaced Charley Docherty at the break and it was a bitty start to the second half, with Cerys Brown and Deanna Cooper both needing treatment for knocks picked up in different challenges.
Wilde then threw herself in front of Abbie Lafayette’s close-range effort to keep the deficit at one.
Two more Burnley rolls of the dice saw Brenna McPartlan and Wilde make way for Leah Galton and Hennessy soon afterwards, but it was 2-0 when Burns’ spill gave Espas a tap in 18 minutes from time.
The Clarets never gave up and pushed forward at every opportunity, with Thea Paul shooting over after good work down the left and Galton finding the side netting from a tight angle.
Burns had to remain alert at the other end, though, and produced a fantastic save to deny substitute Lois Shooter just before the fourth official signalled for eight additional minutes at the end of the 90.
Stoppage-time passed without much incident of note, meaning Burnley’s tally of two points from five matches leaves them 11th in the 12-team table.
Now away for the international break, Bachteler’s side are next in action on Sunday, October 18, when they make their Subway Players Cup debut against fellow tier two outfit Durham. Kick-off in Lancashire will be 2pm.