The final league games for the Ladies 1's, finishing with a win and 5th place for the second successive year, the Ladies 2's who finished 3rd, the Ladies 4's and the Mens 2's.
Fylde 1 3-1 Harrogate 1
On Saturday Fylde L1s were at home against Harrogate in their final league game of the season. Fylde got off to a bright start, and having created several goal scoring opportunities in the 1st quarter, Harrogate were lucky to only be 1-0 down at the end of the first quarter.
Fylde continued to create lots of chances, but keeping in line with our season, unfortunately couldn't convert them into goals. A Fylde defensive mistake led to a freak rebound goal to level the game up 1-1 at half time.
Not long into the 3rd quarter, Hannah Cook found the back of the net from a penalty corner to put Fylde ahead once again. Despite playing some good hockey, Fylde gave the ball away too much in the 2nd half, but luckily Harrogate didn't have the quality to punish them. In a contender for goal of the season, a lovely two touch Fylde attack ended with a good cross into the circle by Hannah Cook and finished at the back post by Keira Tomes. A good example of the quality hockey Fylde are capable of, leaving the opposition with little they could do to defend it.
The game finished 3-1 to Fylde, with Hannah Cook player of the match for her brace and assist.
A tough second half of the season for Fylde with availability issues, however a great result to leaving Fylde in 5th place overall.
Clitheroe Blackburn Northern 1 3-7 Fylde 2
For the last game of the season, Fylde 2's travelled to play Clitheroe and Blackburn Northern. The sun was shining and it was set to be a good game from the off. With the belief they could win from the first whistle Fylde gave it their all.
Fylde dominated in possession from the beginning and created some great pressure on goal. With a high press and strong determination, Emma Savidge managed to put the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0. This lit a fire in Fylde's bellies and made them hungry for more. This was soon followed by some creative play in the D leading to forcing an error and a short corner. This was finished amazingly by a straight strike by EJ Dunkerley. As the defence continued to push high up the pitch, with some great passing and supporting midfield, this allowed Chelsea Atkinson to take Fylde 3-0 up before half time.
With a strong positive team talk from coach Lisa Brown at half time, Fylde came out equally as strong for the second half. Some great play in the middle from Beth Risdale, Sally Livsey and Lisa Perry, with the support of Olivia Merrick, EJ and Abi Johnson from behind, Fylde were able to switch play and create space to break for goal. Within the first 5 minutes of the second half, Frankie Margerison finished off a fantastic ball into the D making it 4-0.
Clitheroe managed to pull back 2 goals from short corners, however Fylde came back stronger. Goals came from Chelsea and Lisa from open play. Abi and Beth made some amazing runs and allowed Fylde to get into the D and win another short corner. A fantastic take from EJ, passed to Sall to put Fylde in a comfortable position of 7-2.
Fylde worked with determination and belief in our abilities and all that we had worked on this season carried on to the end of the game. A short corner was awarded to Clitheroe in the last minute followed by a penalty flick leaving the score 7-3. A sterling effort from the whole team today, a testament to a season of hard work. Leaving Fylde an impressive 3rd place in the table.
Lancaster 2 1-0 Fylde 4
Away match at Lancaster University
Last game of the season
Bad traffic
Won the coin toss -heads!
110% effort from everyone
2 fabulous debuts from Tilly Tomlinson & Issy Gut
Player face planted the deck after running into opposition sub
2 Green Cards
Delayed start to 2nd half whilst we hunted down a tampon to stem the flow of a nose bleed. (Apparently Lillets are the best to have in your first aid kit)
Several well defended short corners
1 early exit for player to get nails done
Final result 1-0
Easter egg thank-you's
Player of the match TBC
Leyland & Chorley 1 9-0 Fylde 2
Travelling to Leyland knowing that the opposition were top of the league and having already secured promotion the previous week was daunting but the team were undeterred. However we were without several of the regular defenders (including our regular report writer, Pete Latimer, for the poor excuse of his daughters wedding! Congratulations to the happy couple) so some improvising was required.
Despite a strong performance from the team, Fylde were down several goals early on. Then to add injury to injury, Phil Hope took a ball to the knee and had to be helped off the pitch. Our only sub entered the pitch so the pressure was really on. Despite a good fight and some end to end play, the first half ended 6-0 to the home team.
The second half started with renewed vigour from Fylde. Phil Hope had rejoined the squad after some ice pack treatment and Fylde made several strong forays into the opposition D but their keeper denied them each time. Leyland made very quick breaks from free hits and short corners and overloaded our own goal and added a further 3 goals to the first half total.
Man of the match was close run call between James Dobson for stepping brilliantly into the needed defensive position but by a slim majority it went to Like Hitchin for his strong supporting play in midfield. The umpire complimented the team and pointed out how many juniors and "senior" players we had compared to the predominantly 20-30 year old opposition. The scoreline didn't reflect the play on the day.
And so ends a good season for Fylde Men's 2's squad, really finding the formation and style of play that was working for them as well as good bonds between players. Here's to a great next season.
This followed the rearranged home game against Brookfield 1's the previous Tuesday. A tough game against robust opposition who received both yellow and red cards. Fylde scored twice, both by Phil Hope, in the 5-2 defeat.