Manchester United prove too strong as Burnley Women bow out of the FA Cup
Manchester United proved just too strong as Burnley Women bowed out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage.
Lou Roberts’ side found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-0 defeat against their Women’s Super League opponents at Leigh Sports Village.
Burnley were looking to spring a huge cup upset, but simply found themselves being overpowered by a Red Devils side that sit two divisions ahead of them.
Roberts named the same starting XI for the fifth match running, with striker Claudia Walker wearing Mummery-Walker on her shirt for the first time since getting married.
Welcome additions to the bench included Brooke Cairns and Brenna McPartlan, with the latter featuring in a matchday squad for the first time in almost four months because of injury.
It took the Red Devils just two minutes to break the deadlock through England international Maya Le Tissier, who gave Kirstie Levell no chance with a rifled effort from 25 yards.
Levell made a strong save when Melvine Malard cut in from the left soon afterwards, but it was 2-0 when Julia Zigiotti picked out the bottom corner with 21 on the clock.
United extended their lead before the break, though, and it was yet another fine finish from outside of the area by Simi Awujo.
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Burnley’s best moment of the opening 45 came on the stroke of half-time.
A quick counter saw Charlie Chadwick receive the ball in the inside left channel. Her cross eventually made it right the way across to Charley Docherty, who’s effort was claimed by Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Lea Schüller’s header made it 4-0 less than two minutes after the restart and Millie Ravening attempted to score straight from the resulting kick-off, but her effort flew narrowly wide.
A double change on the hour saw Naomi Hartley and Heidi replace Jade Richards and Chadwick respectively, and further switches later saw Docherty and Millie Chandarana make way for Danielle Maxwell and Brenna McPartlan.
They weren’t able to affect the run of play, though, as substitute Layla Drury latched on to Hinata Miyazawa’s through ball to finish one-on-one and make it five.
Burnley’s final tweak saw Louise McDaniel replace Millie Ravening and the Red Devils came close to adding a sixth a couple of times, but the Clarets defence held firm.
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