Manchester United had a comfortable 6-0 win over Burnley and progressed into the fifth round of the FA Cup.
For Burnley of theNational League Northern Premier Division this was all about the romance of the FA Cup and playing Manchester United currently fourth in the Women's Premier League with designs of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
For Utd it was less romance and more avoiding the embarrassment of being dumped out of the competition by third tier opposition.
The Clarets were facing their highest ever level of opposition and the build up to the game for the two sides's could not have been more different. A couple of FA Cup fixtures since November had been Burnley's only matches since their league season suspended and then curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Utd meanwhile are coming to the end of a full season in the WSL, which, after a promising start, has seen them fall off the pace recently after losing two of their last three games.
At the end of 90 minutes it was Burnley who had fallen out of love with the FA Cup.
Four goals conceded by half-time showed the difference in class and status as Utd eased into the break totally dominant.
Burnley conceded an early goal when Millie Turner rose highest at a corner to head home. Utd continued to press and Ella Toone doubled the visitor's lead with a delightful curling shot from 18 yards.
The Clarets defended valiantly throwing their bodies into goal bound shots and making last ditch tackles but making little headway on the attacking front.
Goal number three duly arrived with Lucy Staniforth making no mistake when one-on-one with keeper Lauren Bracewell and on the stroke of half time Amy Turner made it four.
There was no let up from Utd and within a minute of the restart Kirsty Hanson added the fifth. A tremendous effort crashed against the bar and Hanson reacted first to head the sixth.
Utd crashed a couple of shots against the cross bar but that was the end of the scoring and the game ended with a plethora of substitutions as the match drifted to its conclusion.
Utd will have a home tie in round five against Leicester or Liverpool although confusingly this match is not set to be played until after the regular league season, on or around Sunday 16 May.
Full Time
Burnley: 0
Man Utd: 6 (M.Turner 9, Toone 17, Staniforth 30, A.Turner 45, Hanson 46, 64)
Att: Behind closed doors
Venue: Lancashire Football Association County Ground, Leyland
