Burnley Women see off Stoke City to seal incredible history-making promotion

Goals from two Millie’s – Ravening and Chandarana – handed Ross Wallace’s side a comfortable 3-0 victory to claim the National League North title.

It caps off a remarkable campaign for the Clarets, who have remained unbeaten all season long, conceding just five goals in 22 games in the process and picking up an incredible 62 points.

Wolves Women pushed them all the way, finishing just a single point behind, but it is Burnley who go up automatically to the WSL2 to play in the second tier of the women’s game for the first time in the club’s history.

There were 1,588 supporters in the Bob Lord Stand to witness history, as the Clarets ended their long wait for promotion.

It was a tense, cagey start to proceedings, perhaps to be expected given what was on the line.

Claudia Mummery-Walker had the game’s first chance, shooting over after turning cleverly on the edge of the Stoke box.

At the other end, Clarets ‘keeper Kirstie Levell had to be alert to make an excellent claim from a dangerous right-wing delivery.

The visitors were given a major let off in the 14th minute when goalkeeper Lucy Farrell whacked an attempted clearance straight into the back of a defender, resulting in the ball ricocheting back towards her unguard goal. But luckily for the Potters, the ball looped onto the top of Farrell’s net.

The Stoke keeper redeemed herself from the resulting corner, making an excellent stop to tip over Jade Richards’ free header.

Another set-piece caused havoc in the Stoke box as Yana Daniels’ header back across the face of goal was hooked narrowly over the bar by a visiting defender.

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Burnley’s nerves were finally eased just after the 20-minute mark when they were awarded a penalty for a blatant pullback on Thea Paul inside the box. Millie Ravening stepped up and cooly slotted home to give the Clarets the lead they so craved.

The breakthrough allowed the home side to relax, with a second arriving through another Millie – Chandarana – who slotted home coolly to finish off a slick Burnley move.

The hosts could have even added a third in bizarre circumstances before the half was up, as Paul’s inswinging corner beat everyone only to rebound off the foot of the post.

Aimee Kelly then squandered a gilt-edged chance to make sure of the win before the half was even up, taking too long over a shot before dragging a shot wide having found herself through on goal.

The Clarets did make it 3-0 within 10 minutes of the restart, as Ravening slotted home another penalty following an admittedly soft awarding.

Stoke keeper Farrell was incredibly fortunate not to concede a fourth midway through the half when her poor clearance was pounced upon by Chandarana, who was so unlucky to see her first-time lob rebound off the bar. It fell straight to Mummery-Walker, who was also denied by the woodwork from close range.

The striker was again denied a few moments later, seeing her goalbound effort saved by Farrell’s outstretched leg.

As Stoke tired, Chandarana should have added a third – and her second – when she broke through the middle, only to see her lob bounce just wide of the upright.

Burnley otherwise took it relatively easy during the final stages, safe in the knowledge their objective was achieved – as Wallace rang the changes and gave as many players as possible a chance to shine.

TEAMS

Burnley: Levell, Docherty (McPartlan), Siddall (Wilkes), Matthews, Chandarana, Daniels, Paul (Hartley), Kelly (Chadwick), Richards, Ravening, Mummery-Walker (Heidi)

Subs: McAloon, Fisher

Stoke: Farrell, Molinari, Jenkins (Hughes), Cook, Wilkinson, Deering (Wilson), Cole, Clarke, Reidford (Lancaster), Priestley, Stamps

Subs: Grimshaw, Scott, Millington

Referee: Ciara Barker

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