Lizzy Hamer stars as Burnley FC Women win at Loughborough Foxes
The home team opened the scoring shortly before half-time after both teams missed earlier chances, before a resurgent Burnley FC Women, led by Hamer, scored three times to claim the points.
The Foxes carved out a strong first attack before the Clarets responded, as Evie Priestley worked her way through the home defence and got in a shot that was blocked by home keeper Mayfield.
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Hide AdThe contest swung from end to end as each team hoped for a breakthrough. Lauren Bracewell had to step out to intercept a cross and a Clarets corner was cleared after it fell dangerously in the box.
Burnley seemed to be getting a grip on the game as Katie Thomas shot from range, then Kerry Hope and Nikki Shirtcliffe pressed on to build further attacks, where Priestley headed just wide, and Thomas shot past the post.
A slip up in the Clarets defence resulted in a free kick on the edge of the box. The Foxes’ Steel stepped up and shot into the wall before a follow up was lifted above the bar.
Soon after, Loughborough had another chance when a corner dropped dangerously, and a shot was blocked by Danielle Cooper.
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Hide AdThomas then had a chance for Burnley when she tried to round the keeper after Hamer slotted the ball through, but some stout defending pushed her off track.
The Foxes opened the scoring inside the last minutes of the half. A cross landed perilously in the box andCooper managed to force the ball over the line.
After some words of guidance from manager Matt Bee, and the introduction of new signing Chloe Mapp, Burnley got the second half underway, and they were soon level as Hamer shot from 20 yards to make it 1-1.
The Clarets gained the lead when Hamer passed through to Thomas, who shot hard and wide of Mayfield.
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Hide AdAnd as the Clarets continued to press, Hamer struck a 25-yard effort that beat Mayfield to put Burnley 3-1 up.
The Clarets could have increased their advantage on several occasions; two free kicks landed on the roof of the net, and Priestley shot over from close range, while Thomas had a shot caught up high by Mayfield and Worthington’s shot was blocked.
Similarly, the Foxes were unlucky not to net a second goal when a loose ball was scrambled clear from Bracewell’s goal mouth. In injury time, Loughborough were controversially awarded a free kick on the edge of the Clarets box, that was also cleared.
Burnley remain in a mid-table position but have a game in hand over the leading teams.
A good run of results is needed to re-establish the challenge for the top places and Stoke City Women will present a new challenge in their next outing on Sunday at Padiham.