Burnley Women secured a crucial victory over third-placed Rugby Borough to maintain their spot at the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season.

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Charlie Chadwick’s first-half goal was the difference between the two teams as the Clarets earned a narrow 1-0 victory.

The striker netted her 12th goal of the season but first in the league with an instinctive close-range finish.

With title rivals Wolves Women keeping up the pace with another win, Burnley remain top of the pile by a point, but having played a game more.

It also means Burnley remain unbeaten under Lou Roberts, who has been in charge since the late Matt Beard left his role at the end of August.

There was one change to the side that started last week’s 4-0 victory over Norwich City in the FA Cup, with Jade Richards replacing Naomi Hartley at centre-back.

Mel Lawley made a welcome return to the substitute’s bench as one of the attacking options alongside Aimee Kelly and Danielle Maxwell.

Charlie Chadwick is mobbed by her team-mates after scoring the only goal of the game. Picture: Kevin Hayden Photography

placeholder image — Charlie Chadwick is mobbed by her team-mates after scoring the only goal of the game. Picture: Kevin Hayden Photography

Rugby had the first chances of note, with Kirstie Levell producing a smart stop low to her right to deny Jess Camwell before Lily Greenslade hooked the resulting corner over the bar.

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They were punished for that miss when Chadwick opened the scoring in the ninth minute, reacting quickest to the loose ball after Peterkin spilled a Yana Daniëls effort.

Roberts’ side enjoyed the better of the attacking running but were unable to turn a healthy portion of set pieces into a second goal before the break.

Emma Siddall also had an effort blocked behind after great interchange with Walker, and Millie Ravening tested Rugby ‘keeper Nyla Peterkin from range.

A Daniëls shot from the left edge of the area was fairly comfortable for Peterkin shortly after the restart before Richards produced a strong block to thwart Greenslade at the other end.

Rugby started to grow in confidence on the hour as Jasmine Matthews scrambled a loose ball away and Greenslade later shot over on the turn six yards out.

Roberts made her first change with 75 on the clock as Chadwick made way for Kelly, and the hosts had arguably their best chance of the afternoon with eight minutes of regular time remaining. A deep corner made its way to substitute Yasmin Mosby at the back post, but the number 27 flicked her header the wrong side of the post.

Borough huffed and puffed but were unable to muster a shot in the closing stages, with Burnley seeing through an impressive fourth straight clean sheet in all competitions.

Their points tally now stands at 29 from a possible 33 ahead of next weekend’s trip to fourth-placed Middlesbrough.

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