By Joe Cooper
Disappointment on the road for Town as they fall to defeat at Burnley.
Coming up against the league leaders in the FA Cup first round proper, it was always going to be a tough game, and this was emphasised as former Terrier, Laura Elford put the hosts ahead after just 2 minutes from close range.
Town didn’t let this set the tone of the match, as they pushed for an equaliser straight from kick off. This push was unfortunately cut short as Ria Montgomery took a blow to the head in the 14th minute, forcing her to leave the field for Dolcie O’Connor.
It didn’t take long for Town to equalise following the substitution, as Kate Mallin scored a brilliant goal with her right foot, sending the ball into the top right corner. This goal set the game alight, as it was followed by numerous chances for both sides, which troubled the keepers but never came to anything.
This was until the 28th minute, when Burnley put the ball into the back of the net, however the referee Emma Taylor disallowed it for a handball giving a freekick to Town instead.
Going into the break, Burnley had the momentum on their side coming close a few times, however they couldn’t find a goal and it was 1-1 going into the break; a strong performance by Town so far.
The start of the second half was animative, with Kate Mallin trying her luck from the halfway line, followed by a 30-yard volley from Burnley’s Brenna McPartlan, which thundered against the woodwork.
It went quiet until the 56th minute when Town had a few decent chances, including a strike from Serena Fletcher from outside the area, that deflected out for a corner.
Former Burnley keeper Lauren Bracewell took a knock whilst collecting a cross, forcing her to receive treatment by the physio, but thankfully she was fine to carry on. Not long after, Burnley found their second goal through Amaya Coleman-Evans, collecting a loose ball from Bracewell following Aimee Kelly’s press, who finished it tidily.
Town pushed for an equaliser for the remainder of the game, however it came to no avail, and the final chance of the cold afternoon fell to Burnley who struck the post just before the final whistle.
