Positive in women’s camp after first win and three unbeaten
BURTON Albion Women made it three games unbeaten as they drew 2-2 with Peterborough United at Rocester on Sunday.
Only a late equaliser stopped the Brewers from recording a second FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands win of the season after they came from behind to beat Long Eaton United 3-1 in midweek.
Two draws and a win from their three games so far have already given the team more points than last season.
Hanaiya Azhar caused early problems for the Posh defence with her pace but Peterborough had the first good chance when Beatriz Borque’s shot hit the post with Burton keeper Alice Langstone beaten.
Azhar went close but had her shot blocked by Stacey Mcconville.
Posh took the lead after 29 minutes when a free kick from the left was reached first by Burton’s Charlotte Jarvis but her header nestled in the bottom corner of her own net.
However, the Brewers were level four minutes later from the penalty spot.
Following a throw-in, the visitors’ Cassie Steward was penalised for handling in the box and Burton captain Amber-leigh Denny put her spot-kick confidently into the corner of the net.
Albion started the second half slowly and Jess Driscoll struck a fierce effort into the side-netting for the visitors.
Ella Ritchie then had a good chance for Burton when she burst through on goal but dragged her shot wide.
Seconds later, Peterborough’s Ellen Marson had time and space from close range but shot straight at Langstone.
And the Brewers went ahead after 82 minutes with spectacular goal.
Millie Wortley spotted Posh keeper Katy Cooper off her line and sent a superb 40-yard chip over her head.
Just as Burton had done in the first half, though, Peterborough equalised quickly.
Another free kick was the source. Burton failed to clear it and
Driscoll tapped home.
In midweek, the Brewers had impressed to land their first win of the season away to Long Eaton.
They fell behind early in the game but two good strikes from Ritchie and a fine team move finished by Millie Drinkhall turned the game around.
Joint manager Tommy Booth said the response to falling behind was a further demonstration of the change in mentality that he and joint boss Kristian Gilbert have seen since taking charge less than a year ago.
“When we first took over, we would concede and heads dropped,” said Booth.
“The attitude was that we were defeated as soon as we concede.
“The improvement now, to go one down and come back to win really well is fantastic.
“They were better than us for the majority of the first half but we managed to go in level with Ella getting a goal out of nowhere.
“We knew Long Eaton would be tough but we dug in and that’s how we will have to be in the league.
“We got three points and goals and on the whole we played better as a team.
“Ella’s goals were out of nothing. She bullied her way through the opposition and both were really good strikes from distance.
“They were both really good quality striker’s goals.
“Millie scored from good build-up and her shot got a slight deflection which took the keeper out of it.”