Burnley Women see off Middlesbrough once again to book spot in cup semi-finals
Burnley Women beat Middlesbrough for the third time this season to book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Women’s National League Cup.
Charley Docherty’s early strike was followed by two fine Charlie Chadwick finishes as the Clarets battled the wind and rain to secure a 3-0 victory at the Anchor Ground in Darwen.
Lou Roberts named an unchanged starting XI from Burnley’s last outing against Peterborough United before Christmas, with Yana Daniëls retaining the captain’s armband.
Claudia Walker and Chadwick led the line, while Abbey-Leigh Stringer returned to the matchday squad for the first time since October.
It took just three minutes for the deadlock to be broken by Docherty, whose corner flew over Boro keeper Ruby Cook and into the back of the net.
Burnley dominated the early exchanges in truth, with Millie Ravening being denied and Thea Paul firing narrowly over in the opening 15 minutes.
The visitors gained more of a foothold as the half progressed but were unable to work Kirstie Levell, and the closest they came was when Olivia Watt steered Ellen Packham’s deep free-kick wide.
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That allowed the Clarets to double their lead on the stroke of half-time through Chadwick who, after being picked out by Docherty from a corner, fired into the bottom right corner.
Middlesbrough’s Rebecca Ferguson tried an audacious effort from kick-off to get the second half underway, but it was Chadwick who scored her second and Burnley’s third with 51 on the clock.
Docherty’s pace got her to the byline and the right wing-back cut the ball back for our number 19 to net her 16th goal of the campaign.
Roberts made a triple change with 23 minutes remaining, introducing Louise McDaniel, Stringer and Danielle Maxwell for Daniëls, Jade Richards, and Millie Chandarana respectively.
Jasmine Matthews and Claudia Walker later made way for Naomi Hartley and Heidi, but it was the visitors who had the better of the play in the final 15 minutes or so.
Despite flashing a couple of efforts wide they couldn’t work Levell, though, and Burnley recorded their 16th clean sheet of the campaign in all competitions.
Burnley are next in action against Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, January 18.
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