Women's Team

Burnley 2-2 Albion Women

An image of Albion Women celebrating their late equaliser against Burnley

Sophie Tudor earned Albion Women a well-fought point thanks to a late equaliser away at high-flying Burnley on Sunday.

Liverpool loanee Charlotte Clarke returned in goal as Head Coach Jenny Sugarman made two changes, also replacing Kate Evans with Tudor. Development team defender, Minnie Cottrell, was called up to the senior squad for the first time too.

The Baggies registered their first chance of an entertaining contest after 15 minutes - Shannon Stamps picking up the ball on the edge of the area, taking aim and watching her right-footed strike deflect agonisingly wide of the Burnley goal.

Albion then edged closer to the opener when Jannelle Straker fired an effort down to the Lauren Bracewell’s left, forcing the goalkeeper into a good save. 

Shortly before the break Mille Ravening came inches away from putting Burnley in front, but Baggies defender Ash Brown denied her via a brilliant clearance off the line.  

Yet there was time for the visitors to finish the half strongly and take the lead within the final play of the first period, Hannah George scrambling in following good work from Tudor during the build-up.

A minute into the second half, though, Albion’s lead was cancelled out. Lizzie Hamer clipped it in from the back post and found Ravening - who wasn’t to be denied again.  

Burnley continued to press as Evie Priestly flicked a clever effort onto the crossbar, and moments later and the hosts had their second. A whipped corner bounced around the box and fell at the feet of Emma Taylor to find the top corner and edge them ahead.

With 20 minutes to play striker Mariam Mahmood entered the frame for the Baggies and, not long after coming on, thought she had won a penalty for her side, however the appeals were waved away by the referee.

The chances continued to come Albion’s way; first George fired a free-kick narrowly wide before Stamps saw her long-range shot saved.

But - with only seconds left to play - Tudor was the hero. She ran in from the edge of the area to stab a low finish home, ensuring her side left Lancashire with a well-deserved point.  

Albion Women: Clarke, Brown, George (C), Loydon, Green, Crackle, Tudor, Stamps, Davies, Warner, Straker.

Subs: Haydn-Jones, Robinson, Cottrell, Mahmood, Robinson.