Burnley FC Women 0

Chester-le-Street Tn Ladies 3

BURNLEY FC Women had a baptism of fire in their first game in the Women’s National League Division 1 North when three goals in seven first half minutes condemned them to defeat.

The Clarets started brightly and had their visitors on the ropes in the opening 20 minutes, forcing several corners while Lizzy Hamer skipped in to the area and whipped in an inviting cross that no-one was able to connect with.

The Clarets continued to push forward - Evie Priestley going close with one effort - but with 10 minutes of the half remaining, they were given a warning of what was to come when Kacie Elson rattled the crossbar following some fine one-touch football.

And the visitors went ahead in their next attack when Rachel Mellor scored direct from a free kick on the edge of the area.

Three minutes later, that lead was doubled when the lively Elson found space to turn and shoot in the area to make it 2-0.

The Clarets pushed to pull a goal back but were hit with a breakaway attack. A long ball forward picked out Chester-le-Street striker Laura Hockaday, who rounded Burnley keeper Lauren Bracewell to score in first half stoppage time.

The Clarets started the second period with determination. Lizzy Hamer forced a diving save in the opening seconds and further efforts were snuffed out by solid defending.

Later in the half the visitors started to push upfield but they lacked the decisive edge that got them the earlier goals, though they had a claim for a penalty waved away by the referee.

In the late stages Justine Wallace shot hard at the visitors’ goal after receiving from a corner only to see the goalkeeper pull off a reflex save and Sarah Greenhalgh headed into the net from a cross but was seen to be offside by a linesman. Evie Priestley also came close with a header that the keeper palmed away from under the bar.

Before the final whistle Chester-le-Street pressured the Clarets goal but the score remained at 3-0.

Next week the Clarets Women’s team play Leeds United Women in what is expected to be another tough game. Kick-off is 2pm at Padiham FC’s Arbories Memorial ground.

Burnley Women: Lauren Bracewell, Danielle Cooper, Vicki Eastwood, Leah Embley, Samantha Fleck, Sarch Greenhalgh, Elizabeth Hamer, Joanne Holt, Georgia Payton, Evie Priestley, Justine Wallace. Sub: Lynette Craig.