Fylde Women (F) 1 - 2 Durham University 2 (F)
Vitality Women's Conference North
Fylde Ladies 1st XI took on Durham University 2s in torrential rain and strong winds.
In the opening moments of the game speed from Taegan O’Hara and the forwards opened up early opportunities for some promising attacks which Fylde were unfortunately unable to find outcomes for. A well worked short corner won by Hannah Cook allowed Lucy Woods to fire the ball the ball into the D getting a deflection off a defender's stick into the goal leaving the score at 1-0 in the first quarter.
In the second quarter Durham found a foot in the D and were able to find an outcome levelling out the score to 1-1. Another goal was scored soon after, due to a quick break from the university side.
With Fylde being left on the back foot the second half was fought well with Durham collapsing the middle and Fylde bouncing the ball in and out of the inside channels. A strong performance from defence and keeper Anya Jackson prevented any more goals being conceded by Fylde in the second half.
The game ended 2-1 to Durham with the player of the match going to captain Victoria Rukin.
Carlisle 1 (F) 4 - 3 Fylde 2 (F)
North West Women's Division 1
On a windy, wet and blustery day, Fylde Ladies 2’s were playing away, Off to Carlisle they went, And a battling challenge they were sent! Some squad changes - thank you to each one, We were still happy to fight and have some fun, We went 4-0 down quite quickly tho, So ultimately our heads went a lil low. We worked hard but couldn’t connect, But we were ready to change it up and take effect, Half time came and a talk was given out, Even the Umpires asked what had Lisa B spoken about?!? We gave Carlisle a scare and a spook, Some may have thought this has to be a fluke! Penalty corner was given and a 1:2 between Natasha and Dawn worked well, We commanded the D and our goal was scored like a wicked spell! We went again and played the ball, A few hooks, a green card and a fall, Off Mia went for using controlled aggression, We thought she was using a little bit of skill and showing expression! A long ball was passed from Georgie into the D, Chelsea reached it, scored and went for three, Great linking play, determination and skill, We gave the spectators and umpires an afternoon of thrill! Katie played well making save after save, Whilst Dawn worked hard after being penalised for trying to shave, We battled and battled right to the end, We must recognise all the efforts and say well done to commend. A third goal came from another short, With an amazing effort from all of us playing our sport, A 1:2 was close in the shooting zone, With Sally doing ace, taking us to 3-4 pushing it over the line alone. Well done to all who worked hard and fantastic effort from Olivia and Beth, In the second half we fought and didn’t give Carlisle a single breath, We go again next week to win the game, I am so proud of how we adapted, built and the team we became.
Fylde 3 (F) 7 - 0 Lytham St Annes 2 (F)
North West Women's Division 2 North
Fylde started off the afternoon hiding in the changing rooms as long as possible while the Ladies 1s played with a busy stand of spectators. They then attempted a quick warm up in the sideways rain while trying to stay as dry as possible.
Fylde kicked off the match strong against the wind and keeping possession with quick passes round the back by Abi, Becky and Molly, pushing the game further and further up the pitch. Balls to the right were charged through the Lytham sideline line by Charlotte who released to Layla who then skilfully dribbled the ball into the D.
Balls to the left were hit brilliantly by Abi to our players in the attacking 23.
The game was quiet on our end drowned out by the wind but Fylde worked well together backing each other up and knowing where to be, from perfecting positioning at training and trusting each other during the game.
Game play in the middle was brilliant due to Toni and Laura giving 110% and never giving up with well timed tackles and skilful stick work. Kiera tired out many of the Lytham players with her pace on and off the ball making Fylde's job much easier.
Katie and Lisa at the top of the pitch always found themselves in the right place resulting in many shots at goal and lots of short corners for Fylde.
With 6 goals and 5-10 minutes to go, Lytham pushed everything they had at Fylde to get a goal. With their two central players breaking through a couple of times but Izzy and Kelly were strong and vocal at the back keeping a clean sheet.
Player of the match - Toni
Fylde 4 (F) 0 - 3 Lancaster Nomads 1 (F)
North West Women's Division 3 North (Central)
Fylde 4 hosted Lancaster Nomads 1 in the Ladies Division 3 North (Central) league at Mill Farm.
A well executed shot on goal put Nomads in front early in the game, shortly followed by a second to take the opposition to 0-2. The youthful Fylde team battled through the rain with good passing across the field. A third goal was conceded before half time.
The second half saw the attacking line of Fiona Quarmby, Frankie Margerison and Grace Tomlinson penetrate the opposition’s circle however Fylde could not breakdown the Nomads experienced defence.
Lucy Wane played with confidence in her debut for the team as central defender. Final score Fylde 0 - 3 Lancaster Nomads
Brookfield 2 (F) 1 - 2 Fylde 6 (F)
North West Women's Division 5 North (Central)
After a two week break Fylde ladies 6th Team arrived in good spirits to play against Brookfield Ladies 2s, unfortunately, the weather was not its best but this did not dampen their mood.
Brookfield came out fighting and very quickly managed to slip the ball to the back of the Fylde goal, giving them an early lead but Fylde quickly responded with the ball being worked from the back down to the attacking third and Georgia Nicholls managed to bring the score to a tie. The, at times torrential, rain made the going tough, with many a clipped ball due to the wetness of the pitch and the sticks, but the team battled hard to keep Brookfields defence working hard, dominating the pitch.
Following half time, the rain had a bit of a break and this allowed some better control over the ball and the hits flew, as did a number of players on the slippery surface, but Georgia Nicholls managed to keep her balance and was able to find the back of the Brookfield net again.
Final score Brookfield 1 - 2 Fylde. Special mention goes to Megan and Liddy Eccles on their debut game and to Dawn Perruzza and Soraya Rigby for helping out.
Fylde (M) 2 - 5 City of Manchester 1 (M)
North West Men's Division 1
The Men's 1s hosted City of Manchester, with both teams entering the game on equal points equal games won/lost, we knew it was going to be a tough game. Fylde started the game well, with the opposition opting with a high press, something Fylde have struggled to cope with in previous weeks. After 10 or 15 minutes the away side managed to break the deadlock 0-1. Further attacks from the away side resulted in some shakey defending and a well worked Penalty Corner meant the away side took a 0-2 lead at half-time. After a shake down from stand-in coach Ian Swaine, the Coasters started well in the second half. This didn't stop the opposition with their quick counter attacks and after working the ball well down the right, the ball was fizzed across the D and a Fylde defender turning the ball into their own goal 0-3. Some positive hockey after this from the home side resulting in PCs awarded to the home side, after a good stop from the GK, Fylde were awarded a second and this time they did not miss 1-3 and feeling like they had a way back into the game. Further pressure from the away side and the game was soon 1-4 after the Fylde GK missed the ball and stick tackled the attacker resulting in a Flick awarded to the visiting side. Fylde continued to created some good chances and a well worked move down the left allowed Jamie Oakes to find the net slashing the deficit by half 2-4. The final 10 minutes of the game and the away side continued to move the ball well, Fylde running out of steam and having to soak up wave after wave of attack, finally the visitors found a way through with the ball being fired from right to left, leaving a City of Manchester attacker wide open to slot the ball into the bottom corner on a reverse stick 2-5 and the game over for Fylde. Some positive performances for Fylde from a disappointing home result. Young Adam Ball, dominant in midfield and Danny Taylor in goal making some great saves throughout the game.
Fylde now prepare for a difficult away trip to Windermere next week, hoping to bounce back from the home defeat to bring home 3pts.
MoM: Adam Ball
Preston 3 (M) 10 - 2 Fylde 2 (M)
North West Men's Division 3 North
Although unfortunate timing meant that the 2’s weren’t able to watch the football, the team (supported with reinforcements from the 3’s) showed up ready to face Preston 3’s in the predicted rain and wind. As the match begun, an aggressive start by Preston lead to an early goal being conceded, but Fylde’s composure unchanged. More attacks from Preston soon followed, but with the help of midfield, all entrance to the D was blocked and Preston found themselves unable to get back to defend the quick attack formulated down the left wing. To Fylde’s joy a short corner was won, and Phil Hope perfectly placed his shot in the back of the goal to equalise the game 1-1. The late arrival of Martin Hayes was welcomed by many as there was a queue to sub off after a frantic 20 minutes, he and Fylde continued to defend against Preston’s deadly attacks for the next 25 minutes. Through a combination of misplaced passes, fitness and fouls, the score lay at 5-1 to Preston nearing half-time. However, Fylde did have their share of breakthroughs into the Preston D - and despite Preston’s tough defence - Martin Hayes found a perfect ball and scored at the end of the first half making it 5-2. In the second half, Preston once again made their plan clear – to attack fast. Minutes after the whistle blew a short was conceded by Fylde, and many more to follow. The great defence of Rory Mower (GK), Si Allen, Connor McClelland, Chris Dunkerley and Rick James was soon overworked despite great efforts. Whist Duke Jones, Luke Hitchen and Richard Clarke fought back with great skill down the right wing, no attempts were able to result in a goal for Fylde. The final score was 10-2 to Preston’s 3’s, however this score doesn’t reflect the best efforts of the team and the enjoyment of the game. MotM was also awarded to Chris Dunkerley for his great play as full-back, and his assisting in creating attacks.
Preston 4 (M) 6 - 0 Fylde 3 (M)
North West Men's Division 4 North
Fylde Men’s 3’s returned to UCLan Sports Arena to play Preston 4th team 3 weeks after their last visit when losing to Preston 5th team. They were expecting a very tough match as Preston were unbeaten at the top of the league and thrashing opposition by 10 or even 15 goals.
There was a double disaster to start, with a goal conceded to Preston’s first attack, and James Smith limping off with the hamstring injury that he’d only just recovered from after limping off the same pitch 3 weeks earlier.
Fylde battled hard and only conceded one more goal during the first half with sterling performances from the experienced defence of Craig Tilley, Pete Latimer, Andy Lund, Phil Weir and goalkeeper Craig Nutter.
The team were soaked through from the torrential rain, and then had the bizarre spectacle of one umpire disappearing for 10 minutes or more, to fetch (or perhaps even buy) a waterproof. After a few minutes waiting to start the second half, Fylde’s Chris Hills donned a hi-vis jacket and filled in until the original umpire returned.
The 2nd half was more of the same pressure from Preston and inevitably more goals were scored, another 4 in total, with 2 from the same unstoppable short corner routine.
Fylde tried to start their own attacks, and had some useful possession with Chris Banks and Adam Bate in midfield, connecting with the running youngsters Angus Chandler, James Dobson and Hugo Loggenberg. However Preston were also solid at the back and snuffed out any opportunities around their D.
In the end it was a 6-0 defeat for Fylde but they felt their objective to keep the score line down had been achieved, so a minor victory.
