Prolific Priestley nets four as Lady Clarets run riot

Burnley FC Ladies chalked up a 6-3 win at struggling CMB Bolton to move up to third place in the table.

The Lady Clarets went ahead when a corner kick was floated beyond the far post, where a Sarah Greenhalgh header across the goalmouth was slotted home by Georgia Payton.

It was 2-0 when Rebecca Hayton was on hand to receive a pass from star player Justine Wallace close to goal, and when her shot rebounded off the keeper, Craig dispatched a shot into the net.

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Before the break, the hosts pulled a goal back when a free kick dropped to their striker, who smartly held off a Claret defender before she turned and dipped a shot into the top corner of the goal.

Five minutes into the second period, Evie Priestly started an attack, with support from Wallace and Craig, who crossed from the left, finding Priestley in front of goal, allowing her to side foot home for the first of her four second half goals.

She scored again after Hayton won a 50/50 ball and slotted through to Payton, who stepped towards goal and forced a diving save, though the keeper was unable to hold on to the ball, allowing Priestley to and score.

CMB managed to half the deficit when the Clarets were unable to clear a corner and a home striker beat Leanne Ashton-Smith from the edge of the box.

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Hayton then intercepted another ball in midfield and passed to Priestley, who stepped both left and right to evade the defenders and pick out the bottom corner from 12 yards.

The final Clarets goal came from a Jane Sexton interception and pass to Craig who then picked out the prolific Priestley, who unleashed a wicked shot that flew in just below the bar.

Late on, a CMB free kick was rifled into the net from 25 yards to make it 6-3.

On Sunday, the Clarets entertain CMB at Barden Sports ground, kick-off 2 p.m.