Burnley Women’s maiden WSL 2 game ended in a 0-0 stalemate against fellow promoted side Watford at Vicarage Road.

The Clarets entered the division for the first time after winning the FA Women’s National League North last season, while Watford returned to the second tier as champions of the Southern Premier Division.

Both sides enjoyed good chances, but neither was able to find the breakthrough as the points were shared.

Burnley captain Christie Harrison-Murray nearly made the dream start to her Clarets debut. After receiving the ball just outside the area, her looping effort was comfortably caught by Safia Middleton-Patel.

The Clarets continued to create chances in an even contest. Claudia Mummery-Walker attempted a cheeky dink over Middleton-Patel, but the Welsh international produced another comfortable catch.

A quieter period followed, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Burnley bravely put bodies on the line to defend their box before goalkeeper Kirstie Levell produced an excellent save just before half-time to keep the scores level.

Despite the lack of chances, Burnley looked the stronger side overall in the first half. Their best opportunity before the break came when Jamie Finn headed over from a promising corner.

Almost immediately after the restart, Watford saw a floating effort travel across the Burnley penalty area following a defensive error from substitute Niaomi Hartley.

Middleton-Patel was then called into action and produced a superb double save, first denying Harrison-Murray before keeping out Emma Siddall’s follow-up to prevent Burnley from taking the lead.

Levell was the busier goalkeeper during the second half as the hosts came out after the break enjoying the better chances in front of goal, but Watford were unable to find the difference.

Burnley therefore began their first WSL 2 campaign with a point on the road.

Next up for the Clarets is a return to Turf Moor to face Sunderland, while Watford travel to face Nottingham Forest.

Burnley’s wait for a Premier League 2 win continued as Reading beat them 3-1 at the County Ground in Leyland.

A brace from Torin Ntege, along with an effort from Kiyan Smith, cancelled out Brandon Pouani’s first-half goal to condemn the Clarets to a second straight defeat, leaving them 27th in the standings.

Andy Farrell made two changes from the 4-3 defeat to Fulham a week ago. Callum Feeney made his debut in goal, while Lluc Castell came in for Kian McMahon-Brown.

The game started in end-to-end fashion, with both sides attempting to break the deadlock as they searched for their first win of the season, having both tasted defeat on the opening day.

The Royals had the best chance of the game just after 20 minutes. Saint-Louis produced a neat effort from a tight angle, but debutant goalkeeper Feeney was on hand to make the save.

Ellis Clark then had Burnley’s best attempt of the match so far, sending a promising free-kick over the bar from just outside the penalty area.

It would be the visitors, however, who took the lead, Torin Ntege converted from close range after a mix-up inside the Burnley six-yard box.

The Clarets soon levelled proceedings. Brandon Pouani converted from close range following a corner, firing his shot into the bottom-left corner past the helpless Reading goalkeeper.

Stanley tried his luck from distance shortly before half-time, but his effort proved a comfortable save for the Reading keeper.

Half-time came with the Clarets fully deserving of their equaliser after responding well to falling behind.

Ntege doubled his tally for the night shortly after the restart, seeing his close-range effort find the bottom corner to restore Reading’s advantage.

The Royals began to dominate proceedings. Calum Logan sent an effort over the bar before Jones saw his attempt pinball around the penalty area, with Burnley eventually managing to clear the danger.

Clarets manager Andy Farrell responded to going behind by making two changes, and substitute Destiny Okonkwo almost made an immediate impact. His first touch of the ball resulted in an effort from close range, but his shot went straight into the grasp of the Reading goalkeeper.

Zach Johnson was the next Claret to test the Reading defence, with his looping corner nearly finding its way directly into the net before Borgnis confidently punched the ball clear.

The visitors continued to apply pressure and eventually extended their lead further. Kiyan Smith found space inside the area before slotting his shot into the bottom-left corner to give Reading a two-goal cushion.

Burnley continued to search for a route back into the contest in the closing stages, but Reading stood firm to see out the victory.

The result leaves the Clarets still searching for their first Premier League 2 victory of the season after back-to-back defeats, while Reading picked up their first three points of the campaign.

Burnley beat neighbours Blackburn Rovers 2-1 to lift the 2026 Lancashire FA Senior Cup at the County Ground in Leyland.

First half Goals from Zach Johnson and the trialist centre back, secured victory for the Clarets, with substitute Sargeant grabbing a late consolation for Rovers.

Burnley created the first clear chance of the game when Vernon Massara rose highest in the box, only to see his header drift inches over the crossbar.

The Clarets made their early pressure count just after seven minutes. A swift counter-attack ended with Zach Johnson calmly slotting the ball past Blackburn goalkeeper Goddard to give Burnley the lead.

The game then ebbed and flowed, with both sides enjoying spells of possession. Osin Cooney was called into action with a smart save to deny Edmondson after an impressive run into the area.

At the other end, Goddard produced an excellent stop to keep out Kian McMahon Brown, who burst into the box from a tight angle before seeing his close-range effort turned away.

Burnley were dealt a blow before the interval when young goalkeeper Cooney was stretchered off with a serious leg injury following a 50/50 challenge with a Blackburn striker.

He was replaced by Jack Robinson, son of former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who made three appearances for Burnley between 2015 and 2017.

The Clarets doubled their lead shortly before the restart when the trialist rose highest from a free kick to head home and make it 2-0.

Half-time arrived with Burnley fully deserving of their one-goal advantage.

After the break,Burnley continued to control proceedings, with Goddard again denying the lively Kian McMahon Brown from close range.

Edmondson then had Blackburn’s best opportunity, blazing wide of Robinson’s goal, before Rovers pulled one back against the run of play. Substitute Sargeant bundled home from close range to set up a tense finish.

The closing stages became increasingly nervy as Burnley’s previously resolute defensive display began to waver slightly.

However, the Clarets held on until the final whistle to lift their 14th Lancashire FA Senior Cup and their first since the 2022-23 season.

Burnley and Blackburn Rovers will now await the release of their respective Premier League 2 fixtures.