Chorley FC Women 0

Burnley FC Women 1

BURNLEY FC Women overcame local rivals Chorley FC Women to progress to the semi-final of the Lancashire FA Women’s Challenge Cup.

Lynette Craig’s 73rd minute strike proved the difference between the two sides in a tight affair at Victory Park.

Last year’s finalists Chorley were looking to put their recent bad form behind them against Burnley, who are currently top of Division One North in the FA Women’s National League.

The game started at a high tempo, as expected, and both teams were playing some attractive football.

Burnley’s pace up front was stretching the Chorley defence but keeper Rachel Darbyshire read the play well to sweep up any danger.

The Magpies, who have slipped to sixth place in the table on the back of four games without a win, went close early on through a Kerry Nickson header that just flew wide of the post.

From the resulting goal kick, Leah Embley surged down the wing and played in Clarets forward Sarah Greenhalgh but a marshalled Chorley defence snuffed out the danger.

The Clarets started to assert dominance as Sammy Fleck saw a header that looked destined for the bottom corner hacked clear by Chorley’s Janet Mitchell.

Minutes later the Magpies cleared another attempt off the line as Greenhalgh’s header was flicked over the bar by the head of a defender.

Chorley had a great chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute after Lisa Topping’s shot struck the arm of a Burnley defender.

Defender Megan Searson stepped up but goalkeeper Lauren Bracewell dived to her right to save the spot kick which lacked any momentum.

The Magpies ended tegrew stronger in to the game as they looked to open the scoring but the Clarets were determined in defence to keep the score 0-0.

Late in the first half the visitors went close when Charlotte Banner intercepted a high ball and found Greenhalgh who beat the Chorley defence but her shot went just wide as the keeper closed down the angle.

The referee blew the whistle as the two sides went in 0-0 at the break.

The second period started much like the first; with both sides pressing and looking to make the break through.

Grace Vella found herself in some good positions and her effort was tipped over the bar by the Burnley stopper Lauren Bracewell.

At the other end, Greenhalgh forced a great reaction save from Darbyshire in the Chorley goal.

With 17 minutes remaining, Burnley made the breakthrough when they finally beat Chorley’s offside trap.

Substitute Justine Wallace played a perfectly weighted pass to put Lynette Craig through on goal and while her pass back inside to Greenhalgh was intercepted, Craig reacted quickest and drilled her shot home.

The hosts regrouped and threw everything at a Burnley defence but the Clarets stood firm to earn cup progress.

On Sunday, both sides return to league action as Burnley host second place Brighouse Town and Chorley travel to Leeds United.

Chorley: Rachel Darbyshire, Abi Fenton, Megan Searson, Kerry Nickson, Janet Mitchell, Lisa Topping, Katy Morris, Laura Walker, Grace Vella, Rebecca Kemp (Chloe Wild 65 mins), Vicky Coope.

Unused: Saskia Bowes

Burnley: Lauren Bracewell, Nicola Shirtcliffe, Vikki Eastwood, Evie Priestly, Joanne Holt, Samantha Fleck, Leah Embley, Elizabeth Hamer, Charlotte Banner, Sarah Greenhalgh, Lynette Craig.

Subs: Justine Wallace, Jade Foster, Kathryn Halligan, Andi Bagshaw, Natalie Bell.