Wolves 1 (Merrick 12) Burnley (Reidford 47, Embley 75)
Second half goals from Isabella Reidford and Leah Embley condemned Wolves Women to defeat against Burnley on Sunday afternoon.
Beth Merrick gave the Old Gold the lead at the New Bucks Head in the 12th minute, but the Clarets fought back to claim all three points.
Burnley had the first real opportunity of the game as Millie Ravening found herself in space in the area but her shot was held by Bec Thomas.
Dan McNamara’s side dominated the opening period with Amber Hughes having the first real chance as she hit a powerful strike towards goal from distance but her effort was wide of the target.
Destiney Toussaint continued to find joy down the wing and her persistence paid off as a deep cross into the box found Merrick waiting to fire past the keeper.
Sophie Bramford almost made it two just before the 20-minute mark but Hughes, who was involved in the build-up, was called offside and the goal didn’t stand.
Thomas was called into action soon after as Elford managed to turn in the box before getting a shot off but the Wolves stopper was equal to the strong effort from close range.
Burnley nearly grabbed an equaliser as Embley’s cross into the box wasn’t dealt with but Elford couldn’t get anything on it with an empty net in front of her.
Merrick had an opportunity to get her second of the game as she found some space on the edge of the area but Levell saved calmly at her near post.
Half-time | Wolves 1-0 Burnley
Burnley equalised just moments into the second half as Coleman-Evans found success down the right-hand side before crossing into the box where Reidford was waiting to head home.
Merrick had a chance to reinstate the lead when a brilliant ball from Hughes found her on the edge of the area. She skipped past her marker before firing goalwards but her effort rose over the bar.
It would take a Burnley free-kick to create the next opportunity of the game with 65 minutes on the clock. McPartlan delivered it deep into the area but the header in the centre was just over the crossbar.
Ravening was played through one v one with Thomas soon after but the her touch around the keeper was heavy and she was unable to get there to finish into the open net.
In a game that was becoming end to end, Bramford had another opportunity but her strike, which was destined for goal, was headed over and out for a corner by the defender.
Burnley then took the lead in the 74th minute thanks to a stunning strike from Embley which gave Thomas no chance in the Wolves goal.
Following Burnley’s goal, McNamara turned to his bench and Jade Cross and Liv Fergusson were introduced in place of Beth Roberts and Hughes.
Ellie Wilson nearly levelled things up as she glanced a header goalwards from Anna Morphet’s free-kick but Levell held her effort before allowing her team to push up the pitch, relieving the growing pressure on the Clarets goal.
Refusing to go down without a fight, Ania Denham and Lexie Harrison were also introduced to proceedings in place of Merrick Will and Bramford.
Tammi George had the final opportunity to secure a point as Morphet’s cross fell to her on the edge of the box but her effort was narrowly wide of the target.
Full-time | Wolves 1-2 Burnley
NEXT FIVE
14/01/24 Reading (A) FA Cup
21/01/24 West Brom (H) Challenge Cup
28/01/24 Stoke City (H)
04/02/24 Newcastle United (A)
11/02/24 AFC Fylde (A)
TEAMS
Wolves | Thomas, Wilson, Morphet, George, Will (Denham 86), Hughes (J. Cross 77), Johnson, Toussaint, Roberts (Fergusson 77), Bramford (Harrison 86), Merrick.
Unused subs | Fryer.
Burnley | Levell, McPartlan, Marshall, Embley, Elford (Hamer 57), Amaya, Cooper (Lackey 57), Ravening, Reidford (Lord-Mears 82), Hartley (Prior 71), Wilkes.
Unused subs | Farrell.
Report by Bek Howell
