It was a match billed as a clash of the titans as the FA Women?s Northern Premier Division?s two unbeaten sides – Newcastle and Burnley – put their records on the line at Kingston Park.
At the end of a hard-fought entertaining 90 minutes there was nothing to separate the two sides. Burnley came in top of the League having played seven games, winning six and drawing the other one. Newcastle have only played four league games but had won them all. Plus, United had also won both their FA WNL Cup games giving them a 100% record, with one of those cup games being a win over Burnley at Kingston Park 3 ? 2 in extra time. Everyone knew it would be a tough game and so it proved.
Almost from the kick-off it appeared Burnley?s tactics were to sit back, soak up the pressure and ensure they didn?t lose with the hope they might sneak a goal on the counter attack.
United on the other hand, in front of a magnificent crowd of 2,654, pressed from the first whistle, clearly intent on seeking a victory that would have kept their run going and enhanced their position as one of the favourites for promotion.
It should be remembered that only winning the League guarantees promotion to the Championship; a goal that is the least of United?s ambitions as they continue to forge a path in the Women?s game.
The first 15 minutes of the game saw Wor Lasses camped in the Burnley half, completely dominating the flow of the game. Tyler Dodds getting in a dangerous cross in the third minute that lead to a United corner.
From Dodds delivery, Niaomi Bedeau heads goal-wards but the effort is blocked at close range and scrambled clear. Elysia Boddy then had a cracking half-volley from 20 yards that flew just over the bar.
From another Doods corner, Georgia Gibson got her header on target but Kirstie Levell saved comfortably before Levell did even better when she turned away Gibson?s excellent shot from the edge of the box in superb style.
It took Burnley 15 minutes to register an effort on goal, with Laura Elford?s powerful close-range effort blocked well by the alert Kacie Elson. Levell though was the busier of the two keepers and on 34 minutes did brilliantly to turn away another long-range screamer from Boddy.
The ball though fell to the predatory Bridget Galloway inside the six-yard area but under pressure from the visitor?s defenders, the prolific centre forward prodded it just wide.
Galloway was then presented with a golden opportunity to register her 11th goal of the season and put United ahead on 40 minutes. Elson was tripped in the box by Gracie Prior as she tried to burst through and the referee pointed immediately to the spot. Up stepped Galloway but to everyone?s surprise she scuffed the penalty kick completely and dragged it wide, leaving the side?s level at half-time.
The second started the same way as the first had gone, with United on the attack and Burnley standing solid in defence. Within two minutes, Emma Kelly had a chance just inside the box, hitting her shot well only to be denied by another splendid reaction save by Levell.
Grace Donnelly then showed her ability in United?s goals having had hardly anything to do. She reacted brilliantly to come from her line and bravely dive at the feet of Elford as the striker tried to tee-up an effort.
Elson was the next to try her luck for The Lady Mags, getting on the end of a Galloway knock-down and hitting a dipping half-volley just over the bar. Burnley were looking more confident as time wore on.
Aimee Kelly almost testing Donnelly with a fizzing effort from the edge of the box after winning possession, but it flashed inches wide.
Back came Newcastle and on 70 minutes Burnley had a charmed life not once but three times. As United mounted another good attack, the ball flew around the visitor?s area and Jodie Bartle, Galloway and Boddy all had good efforts blocked inside the box as Burnley put their bodies on the line.
United?s women were indebted to their Captain Donnelly, who prevented a smash and grab raid from the League leaders with a double save. First off she did really well to react to Rhema Lord-Myers deflected effort to push the ball away and then reacted well to get to the rebound in front of Aimee Kelly and get the ball to safety.
Katie Barker had come on for United, replacing Galloway and with a little over ten minutes left was unlucky to see her first time 12-yard effort blocked after she?s been set-up well by Dodds.
United continued to press but Burnley were solid and held firm before conceding a free-kick just outside the box in a central position as the game went into injury time. Emma Kelly stepped up and curled her effort around the wall, only for Levell get across to collect the ball neatly.
The final chance for United almost fell to unmarked substitute Becky Ferguson at the far post. As Dodds? corner looked like it would be touched home by the youngster, a last ditch touch from a Burnley defender cleared their lines.
The final whistle brought an end to a thoroughly entertaining game and the reaction of both sets of players told its own story. The visitor?s clearly delighted with their clean sheet and point, whilst United?s players looked crestfallen that their superiority and dominance had only rewarded them with the same result.
Next up for Wor Lasses is another league game away at second bottom Huddersfield Town on Sunday 22nd October 2023. They?ll be looking to get back to winning ways and reignite their title challenge.
