By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Burnley FC Burnley vs Loughborough Lightning
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Burnley firm favourites for WNL Cup clash
Burnley’s start to the season – despite off field distractions – has been very impressive. They currently sit atop the National League North with seven points from nine, with no goals conceded across league and WNL Cup.
After brushing aside the challenge of Loughborough Lighning last week to the tune of 5-0, Step 4 Huddersfield Town are this weekend’s opposition in Group T of the WNL Cup.
Once again under the interim management of Louise Roberts following Matt Beard’s short spell in charge, Burnley let their football do the talking. Goals from Olivia Wilkes, Yana Daniels, Alethea Paul and a Mel Lawley brace wrapped up a second 5-0 win of the campaign.
READ MORE: Perfect start for Burnley Women with 5-0 win
Beard is now on gardening leave after resigning in August to pursue opportunities elsewhere – just two months after taking the job.
Burnley will be heavy favourites to record a second win in the WNL Cup on Sunday, after seeing off Chorley 2-0 in their opening game. Although Huddersfield have started well themselves in Division One North with 2 wins in 3 – including a 7-1 thrashing of York City – Burnley’s impeccable start, home advantage and higher stature will see most backing a home win.
"We asked the players to be consistent and to arrive today and to perform and to hold ourselves accountable and I think we did that this afternoon" 💬
— Burnley FC Women (@BurnleyFCWomen) August 31, 2025
Lou Roberts reflects after another 5-goal victory for the Clarets
Liverpool derby for Feds
It’s been a mixed bag for Liverpool Feds so far, who have 3 points on the board after beating Sporting Khalsa 2-1 either side of defeats from Wolves and West Brom.
A 1-1 draw at Step 4 Stockport County in their opening Group R fixture – by no means a disaster – still leaves Sunday’s derby with Liverpool U21s looking like a must win game if Feds are to progress as group winners as expected with their highest ranked status.
Leanne Duffy’s side threw away a 2-0 lead in their 3-2 defeat to West Brom last weekend – after a lightning start saw both Katie Anderson and Ellie Fletcher on target in the opening 10 minutes. Three second half goals for the visitors took all three points.
Stingers host County in Stockport derby
Elsewhere in Group R there’s another tasty derby between Cheadle Town Stingers and Stockport County Ladies.
Stingers boast a 100% record in the First Division North to date after narrowly missing out on promotion last season – with victories over Huddersfield, Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers already on the books.
Their scheduled opener in the WNL Cup against Liverpool U21s was awarded as a walkover to Dylan Wimbury’s side after the Academy team were charged with failing to fulfil their match.
County are one of five teams sitting on six points from nine – with their 5-0 opening day thrashing of Wythenshawe lifting them to third on goal difference.
A 3-2 win over Chorley followed, but last week’s defeat by the same scoreline to Norton & Stockton Ancients represents the side’s first setback of the campaign.
Improving Wythenshawe travel to Stoke
Speaking of Wythenshawe, they have bounced back strongly since that opening day loss with back-to-back league wins and a draw against Manchester United U21s in the WNL Cup.
A 2-1 home win over The Ancients was followed by an impressive 3-1 win at another North East side, Chester-le-Street Town. Promisingly for the Manchester side, four of those five goals have come from different players – with ex FC United stalwart Kirsty Chambers netting a brace in the Norton game.
Next up for James Mulvihill’s side is a trip to Stoke City in Group Q – a tough group with two Step 3 sides in Stoke and Wolves.
🎙️ The manager reflects on a strong 3-1 away victory against Chester le Street Town this afternoon.
— Wythenshawe FC Women (@WythenshaweFCW) August 31, 2025
That’s two wins on the bounce for The Ammies ✅
Focus now turns to next week’s WNL Cup tie against Stoke City 👊⚽️ pic.twitter.com/6EWdZWgu8L
Chorley host struggling Rovers
There’s a Lancashire derby in Group T’s other fixture as Chorley host Blackburn Rovers – with both sides looking to win to boost their early season form.
Chorley’s 4-1 win over Durham Cestria last weekend is the only win either side has managed in league or Cup competition to date – with Rovers losing all four games across both competitions to date since their voluntary withdrawal from the Championship.
Faye Stanhope’s hat-trick powered Chorley to victory last weekend and she unsurprisingly tops the club’s goalscorers list, netting four of their six league goals to date.
It’s been a miserable start to life at Step 4 for Rovers, who are without a point and yet to score in the league. Despite this, they are not getting hammered in each game – with a 2-0 loss to Cheadle their biggest defeat to date.
Nevertheless, James Mallett’s team need to get firing soon – or face getting left behind by their North West counterparts.
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