Fylde 1XI 0-5 Pendle Forest 1XI Women's England Hockey League North Conference
Fylde Ladies 1st XI opened their National League campaign against well-established Pendle Forrest, and had to face them with a depleted squad due to the impact of Covid and some forced isolation.
The first two quarters saw Fylde find their defensive feet quickly, fending off multiple attacks on goal thanks to some solid defence from Jayne Wilson and debutant 1s player Natasha Hartley-Smith. Pendle took advantage of a minor slip up in the Fylde defence and took their team to half time with a 0-1 advantage.
Sisters Amy and Danni Merrick - also new to the squad - worked some great tag-team skill through the midfield and further debutant to the National League Tenika Jennings tried to take advantage of the drives from Fylde's defence down the right wing from Lucy Eagling, but frustratingly none of the efforts could be converted into goals. The relatively junior squad of Fylde was punished for some simple errors which the experienced Pendle team converted goal after goal in the third quarter, and moving into the fourth quarter, a well worked penalty corner and finally a pot shot from the top of the D saw Pendle leave the Fylde home ground with a 0-5 win.
The 1st XI travel to Doncaster next weekend knowing how to rectify their errors, and face a brutal week of training and reflection from coach Ali Ghazanfar in the interim.
Fylde 2XI 0-0 Lymm 1XI North Hockey League West Division 2
Fylde Ladies 2's had to settle for a 0-0 draw in their first league match at home against Lymm 1's in North Div2 West. There was action at both ends, with several short corners, but neither side could break the deadlock, and Fylde may be the happier team having lost twice to Lymm last season.
Leyland and Chorley 1XI 2-1 Fylde 3XI North Hockey League West Division 3 North
Fylde Ladies 3XI started their 2020-2021 North Hockey League Div3 West campaign with a 2-1 loss to Leyland & Chorley 1st team.
The team welcomed 7 debutants to the match day squad, five of whom have progressed through our club junior development programme. This was the first time that the team had played together and with 7 under 16year olds playing, Fylde fielded a youthful team for a North League game. Despite the inexperience, the team matched up to their opposition for long periods of the game. Fylde pressure towards the end of the first half went uncapatalised but after a team talk from new captain Georgina Hampson, Fylde pressure continued at the start of the second half and Megan Coar finished a good break and cross from Jess Cole to lead 1-0.
As the game continued into the second half, Fylde continued to create opportunities and over the course of the match, the opposition goalkeeper was the busiest of the two GKs. Of note, Fylde conceded no short corners during the match. An injury to player of the match Charlotte Thomson was a defining moment with Leyland & Chorley capitalising and scoring an equaliser. The opposition’s simple pass and move hockey style was effective towards the end of the game and they scored the wining goal following a turn-over break.
Despite the loss, the team performed well in phases and are positive with regard the season. This new team will only improve with continued development and experience.
Special thanks to Leyland & Chorley Hockey Club for providing a well organised COVID-19 secure game.
Player of the game: Charlotte THOMSON
Debutants: Anya JACKSON, Molly MAGUIRE (club debut too), Olivia MERRICK, Ariana MILLIGAN, Charlotte THOMSON, Beth RISDALE, Becky EVANS (club debut too)
Leyland and Chorley 2XI 7-3 Fylde 4XI Pre-season friendly held on Sat 19th Sep
Fylde Ladies 4's had a friendly match away against Leyland & Chorley 2's, ahead of their season starting on 3rd Oct away at Windermere.
On an unusually sunny and warm day, albeit with a welcome breeze, the friendly was a great opportunity to get back on the field and play together. The first half saw several opportunities for Leyland & Chorley to make fast breaks and take the lead. The goal from Lindsey Tait included her infamous dodge at the top of the D and a shot into the roof of the net. Both Katie Thompson’s goals came from open play following link up play from midfield. The newly formed team came together in the second half showing some learning, despite the final result being 7-3. There was a massive effort from all the players with many making their debut for the team.
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