Floodgates open as Lady Clarets hit eight

The Lady Clarets started the day sitting on top of the North West Women's Regional League, but knew that anything less than their best would see them struggle against a physical Birkenhead side.
Burnley goalscorers Rebecca Hayton, Lizzy Hamer, Linny Craig and Chelsea PennyBurnley goalscorers Rebecca Hayton, Lizzy Hamer, Linny Craig and Chelsea Penny
Burnley goalscorers Rebecca Hayton, Lizzy Hamer, Linny Craig and Chelsea Penny

With this in mind, the Clarets started the game brightly with fluid passing and a high tempo and it was not long before they were testing the Birkenhead backline.

Rebecca Hayton returned to the Clarets starting line up having competed in a charity boxing match the previous night and it was not long before she was packing a punch in this game.

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Good build up play from Lizzy Hamer and Linny Craig saw the ball reach Hayton on the right side of the penalty box for her to smash the ball home.

A second goal followed minutes later when Hayton turned provider as she dribbled to the corner of the box to pull the ball back to Craig who placed the ball into the empty net.

Excellent passing and movement from the Clarets set up the next opportunity for Hayton when Steph Meeks broke down the left and found the feet of Justine Wallace.

Wallace turned and deftly lifted the ball into the path of Hayton for her to head home for her second of the game.

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Player of the match Hamer was next up to strike when great play from Meeks on the left found Hamer on the edge of the box.

Hamer advanced past two defenders before hitting a well placed shot into the top corner.

Leading 4-0 at half time, the Clarets were determined to keep a clean sheet for the second week in succession and add to their goal scoring tally.

Hamer was next to hit a brace when clever play from Chelsea Penny saw her pass the ball right through the centre of the pitch for Hamer who evaded the offside trap and then coolly slotted past the keeper.

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Craig was next to add to the misery of the Wirral side when she jinked past two defenders on the left before being crudely chopped down in the box.

A penalty was awarded and Craig bounced up to smash the ball home to make it six!

The Lady Clarets were not finished yet though and it was recent signing Penny who stepped up to score next.

Penny, who is beginning to show signs of the great quality she can bring to the side, had been previously denied by excellent defending and a couple of good saves but she gave the keeper no chance when she hit a thunderbolt into the top corner from 25 yards to open her account for Burnley.

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The final goal of the game came when substitute Leah Hart met the in-swinging corner from Craig.

Hart lost her marker before powering the ball into the back of the net to make the final score 8-0.

The Lady Clarets remain top of the league and will hope to extend their lead when they travel away to Manchester Stingers on Sunday.