Burton Albion secured promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League on Sunday as they ran out 4-1 winners away to Lye Town. Top scorer Jordan Atkin fired in a hat-trick before Hayleigh Sutton added a fourth late on to seal all three points. That is now three successive promotions for Adam Smallman’s side and they could yet add a League Cup trophy to their achievements, writes Matty Roper.
On 16 minutes, the young striker had another opportunity to score, this time from the penalty spot. She emphatically finished the spot-kick to hand her side an early 1-0 lead.
On 29 minutes the lead was doubled, Atkin planting a finish into the far corner from inside the area after evading her marker.
In the second period, the Brewers came out quickly in search for a third goal and they were rewarded with it on 48 minutes. Charlotte Emery got beyond a defender before floating in a cross, Atkin then met the ball with a deft header and it was 3-0 in Burton’s favour.
With 70 minutes on the clock, Lye nodded in a corner but after another Atkin penalty was saved, Sutton reacted first to the loose ball to find the net.
Reflecting on watching his team win promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League, Adam Smallman said: “Playing Premier League football was our aim long term and now we will be doing that next season.
“We came into this league looking to challenge, but the way the girls have applied themselves has been superb. They deserve this as they really are a great group.
“It wasn’t an easy game today despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise. The conditions were difficult and Lye are a decent side, but we dealt with their threat well.
“A point would have been enough to win us the league today, but it’s fantastic to do it in style.
“We now have a few more league games to play and we also have a cup final to look forward to. Our aim to remain focused now and then party at the end of the season.”
Source – balfcmedia.wordpress.com
