Match Reports 14 Mar 2026
- 11 minutes ago
- 11 min read
The Ladies 3s celebrate being champions of Div 2N, the Ladies 2s win a vital game, the Ladies 5s score 10 goals right after the Men had scored 17, and the young Beavers win again on their travels
Didsbury Northern 1 0-0 Fylde 1
Fylde HC Ladies 1s continued their strong run of form with a dominant performance against Didsbury Northern 1s, but despite creating numerous chances they were left frustrated as the match finished 0–0. Coming into the game in excellent form, Fylde looked confident from the start against a Didsbury side sitting towards the lower end of the table. Fylde quickly established control, moving the ball well and creating early pressure in the attacking circle.
The closest chance of the first quarter fell to Jess Wharton following a well-worked penalty corner routine. Her shot beat the keeper but crashed off the post, denying Fylde an early lead. Fylde continued to dictate the tempo throughout the game, with Player of the Match Lisa Perry pulling the strings from midfield keeping Didsbury pinned back for long spells.
At the other end, Fylde’s defence remained solid and composed, effectively shutting down the limited opportunities that Didsbury managed to create. Fylde’s pressure continued into the later stages of the match. Megan Wildish came agonisingly close from another penalty corner as her effort struck the post. She then had another golden opportunity late in the game to secure the win for Fylde, but the Didsbury goalkeeper produced a crucial save to keep the scores level.
Despite the frustration of not converting their chances, with only two games remaining this season, Fylde will be hoping to finish strongly. Their penultimate fixture takes place next Saturday when they travel away to Kirkby Stephen.
Lancaster University 1 0-2 Fylde 2
In a must-win clash against Lancaster University Hockey Club, Fylde Ladies 2s stepped onto the pitch knowing the importance of securing all three points. With a full squad available—despite several players carrying knocks and niggles—the message was clear: keep playing the positive hockey that had brought recent improvements, minimise mistakes, and maximise attacking opportunities.
Both sides started brightly, creating half chances at either end. Lancaster looked dangerous on the break, but Sophie Slawson and the Fylde defence dealt with the threat well, staying composed under pressure. Fylde’s patience paid off in the 10th minute. After excellent build-up play across the back and a superb link down the right, a quick transfer found Camila Wyles, who wasted no time unleashing a reverse strike that thundered into the backboard to give Fylde the lead.
Energised by the goal, Fylde pushed forward and dominated the next spell of play. Their pressure soon paid off again as flowing connections through the midfield saw the ball fall to Camila once more. This time she delivered a perfect cross from left to right for Emma Savidge, who met it brilliantly with a deft deflection past the keeper to double the lead. Fylde continued to link play well for the remainder of the half, earning several short corners, with EJ Dunkerley and Dawn Child both coming agonisingly close to adding a third but for strong Lancaster defending.
The second half saw Lancaster come out with renewed intent, moving the ball well and making sharp attacking runs that tested Fylde’s defence. However, the back line held firm and refused to let them find a breakthrough. In the final 10 minutes Fylde raised their intensity again, finishing the match strongly and looking the more likely side to score, but the ball just wouldn’t quite fall their way.
The final whistle confirmed a well-deserved victory and a vital three points for Fylde. A very proud and happy captain led the celebrations, while the coach and spectators were left equally delighted… and slightly less stressed by the end! 😅🏑
Kirkby Lonsdale 1 0-0 Fylde 3
The ladies 3s had an early start with a trip up the M6 to Kirkby Lonsdale to play their league winning match. The 3s knew going into the game they needed at least one point to secure the title.
Fylde began with the ball, passing it around the midfield, they popped the ball in and out of gaps to create space and opportunities down the wing. Abbie Warburton excelled in midfield, consistently finding square passes across the pitch for Flo Worden. Flo then delivered the ball to the baseline, allowing Issy Gut to exploit the space and slot it in front of the goal line. Despite numerous scrappy shots and a packed penalty area, the forwards were unfortunate not to capitalise on their early chances.
Availability issues within the team this week saw usual goalkeeper Emily Byers putting away her pads for the week and stepping into the front line. Emily picked up the ball amazingly on the left hand side, creating outcomes around the 23 and having her own attempts on goal.
Abbie Warburton and Jessica Jennings consistently used their skills to dribble through the defence, winning fouls on many occasions to give Fylde the advantage through attacking short corners. Despite many short corners throughout the match and switching up their routines, Kirkby Lonsdale’s keeper did a great job in goal meaning that Fylde were unable to convert.
As the match went on, it was noticeable that the 3s were more determined with every passing minute to get over the line. It was this determination and resilience that ensured Fylde kept the score line 0-0 and kept calm and collective as a defensive unit when on occasion the ball slipped through to the opposition’s high hanging forwards, the backline were able to make the right tackles and disperse the ball out wide and out of danger.
Lauren Mayor did incredibly well with 5 minutes left to go in match as a mistrapped interception further up the pitch meant that a Kirkby Lonsdale forward found herself charging towards goal, Lauren Mayor used her rapid pace to loop back round and cleanly take the ball out of her possession at the top of the D, pushing the ball out wide to Lauren Appleyard to push back up the pitch and keep us in possession.
The final whistle went. Cheers all round. They had done it…
The 3s knew they were league champions. In a surreal moment they had all been waiting for since the beginning of the season, the whole team ran up to each other with hugs all round, and maybe a few teary eyes! The champagne was out and the celebrations started!
A massive thank you to all the girls that have played for this team over this season and their efforts each and every week to achieve what we have done. And a massive thank you to coach Jay Currey for everything he’s done for us and turning this team into what it is today! As a team we have achieved exactly what we set out to do and we have done it together every step of the way.
Man of the match this week undoubtedly had a widespread of votes, but this week it was awarded to Lauren Appleyard. Very well deserved!
DoD this week went to Jay Currey for not having the Veo charged to record the league winning match despite being reminded the night before by Captain, Abbie Southern!
The team can take a sigh of relief and move onto their last home match of the season next week against another strong side, Wigton.
#UpThe3’s
Pendle Forest 3 2-2 Fylde 4
Fylde 4s returned to Pendle for the second time this season to play against their 3rd team. Pendle’s pushback meant Fylde springing into defence mode. Pendle had a mixture of experienced players and fast youngsters, not unlike Fylde. Zoe Kirkham and goalkeeper Laura Troth directed from the back, ensuring players were marked in the circle to prevent the opposition from breaking through.
Hard work from Evie Dunne on the left, saw the turnover of the ball and Fylde racing down the pitch. Good 1-2 passes from Alys Williams and Isla Carter brought the play to Pendle’s circle with Eleanor Bullough and Ellie Hope having attempts on goal.
The end to end play meant Fylde became a little less structured as Pendle continued to challenge, sending hard balls down the line to their runners. Nonetheless, Evie Bromley worked well to tackle and clear the ball away from Pendle. Fylde continued to pass well and attack the circle with Leah Richmond having a shot of goal which rebounded off the keeper, back to Leah who then slipped it left to Aimee Jennings who finished strongly from the post.
The half time whistle was welcome as Fylde now swapped ends to attack away from the low sun. Pendle continued with intensity, putting Fylde’s midfield to the test. Hollie Guthrie and Niamh Smith were strong in the middle, intercepting play and driving up to the circle. Pendle’s defence were determined and although Eleanor Bullough had good chances, another goal remained elusive. A hard drive down the pitch saw Pendle swarm Fylde defensive circle, and a spectacular shot levelling out the score.
Fylde won a number of short corners in quick succession, but failed to capitalise until yet another was awarded. Liv Hartley-Smith received the ball, sliding it across the goal which rebounded off the keeper, towards the penalty spot where Nikki Richmond managed to send it over the line.
Fylde could breathe a little but Pendle kept coming. They won their own short corner, slipping the ball out wide right and aiming for the right post, which just edged in between the defender and the post.
Even stevens again. Fylde pressed hard until the final whistle but despite good efforts, couldn’t find the winner.
Fylde 5 10-1 Preston 3
Fylde Ladies 5’s delivered an outstanding performance in their match against Preston 3’s, securing a dominant 10–1 victory thanks to excellent teamwork and solid defending throughout the game.
Fylde started the match strongly, quickly putting pressure on Preston. It didn’t take long for Alyssa Woodman to open the scoring with an early goal, setting the tone for the rest of the game! Shortly after, Birdie Singleton added another to the tally before Alyssa struck twice more, completing an impressive first-half hat trick.
The attacking momentum continued as Chloe Jo Simmons showed great perseverance in front of goal, scoring two brilliant goals before half time. Fylde headed into the break with Preston still unable to get on the scoresheet.
The second half began just as strongly. Chloe wasn’t finished yet and pushed for her hat trick, scoring again to claim it. Fylde continued to dominate the attacking play, with further goals from Birdie Singleton and Alyssa Woodman, rounding off an exceptional attacking display.
While the forwards had a fantastic game, the defensive unit also played a crucial role in the team’s success. Faye Jackson produced some excellent goalkeeping, making several impressive saves to keep Preston’s chances limited. Faith McGillivray worked tirelessly on the left, making strong tackles and maintaining possession for the team, while Amelie Horabin also delivered an excellent defensive performance.
In the middle of the pitch, Sadie Atkinson held the centre superbly, controlling play and providing countless assists to help create Fylde’s scoring opportunities.
Overall, it was a fantastic all-round performance from Fylde Ladies 5’s, showing great teamwork, determination, and skill across the pitch.
Well done girls!
Fylde 6 Dev't 1-3 Clitheroe Blackburn Northern Dev't
Clitheroe & Blackburn Northern Development were welcomed to Fylde 6 / Development’s home turf in the beautiful sunshine, much to everyone’s delight.
Fylde’s fifteen players found themselves on the defence for much of the first half, but the team held their own with some very strong defending in play and GK Cora Sweeney producing several impressive saves to keep the visitors at bay.
Some superb passing between Imi Todd and Esme Bradley led to a well positioned goal for Esme at 34 minutes which meant Fylde led 1-0 going in to half time.
The second half was much more organised for Fylde with some great passing and attempts on goal.
Although Clitheroe Blackburn Northern managed to equalise, Fylde continued to push forward with intent. Despite their best efforts, the opposition held strong and came back with a further 2 goals scored by an older, more experienced side.
Whilst the final score was 3-1 to Clitheroe & Blackburn Northern, the Fylde team should be proud of their performance and resilience.
A fun day in the sun with lots of learnings to take away!
Fylde 1 17-1 Leyland & Chorley Development
Leyland and Chorley run a true development side packed full of youngsters with only a handful of adults, and so with a large squad available Fylde Men started with all their youngsters, six aged 14-16, on the pitch and four adults on the bench.
For fifteen minutes, despite more possession, Fylde were finding it difficult to string passes together in a meaningful way, and were also letting Leyland attack, in an unexpectedly even game. This was probably a combination of having some key players on the bench and other players out of position.
This was rectified when Simon Holt and Harry Gordon were subbed on, and within a minute club top scorer Harry Gordon had opened the scoring. Oli van Rijn then doubled the lead, but Leyland clawed one back with an unstoppable shot from the top of the D.
With regular subbing, Fylde became the dominant team for the rest of the game, Harry Gordon completed his hat-trick before half-time. On his 3rd game back this season, Phil Hope finally broke his scoring drought with a first time slap from the top of the circle into the top right corner, which is reported to have been mentioned by a few of the team that it was goal of the day.
5-1 up at half-time, however Fylde were encouraged to play with more intensity, in preparation for the important final three league games of the season coming up. This they did, with 12 goals scored in the second half. 4 more for Harry Gordon, making it 7 for the day and 32 for the season so far.
Phil Hope completed his hat-trick with the third one scored after he dived to the ground to ensure he deflected a cross into the goal. Luke Hitchen scored his own hat-trick after moving from the central defensive position he’d tried during the first half.
Other scorers were Tim Woodman, Charlie Oliver and also the first ever goal for Ed Jefferson who normally plays in defence but had found a perfect position at the back post to tap in a ball that had been crossed in.
Credit to the Leyland team who kept playing positively, and to their young goalkeeper who made some great saves during the match.
Man of the match went to Ed Jefferson.
The team has now scored 100 goals in 16 league games, which is some achievement, with 3 more games still to come.
Bolton HC 1-3 Fylde Beavers
Friendly
Fresh from their exciting game last weekend, Fylde Beavers were on the road (AGAIN) and showed their ability against an older and definitely bigger Bolton side.
Sam and Maria again did a great job of organising the team and getting them ready for the game before I turned up just in time for Techari to power in a strike at a penalty corner. The rest of the 1/3 passed evenly with Bolton trying to go direct and Fylde playing around them.
The second third saw Fylde have more chances with the Bolton GK making a number of good saves and Fylde finding the outside of the goal and also having a good goal at a penalty corner disallowed when the umpire blew early for a defensive infringement.
So with the score 1-0 the final 1/3 saw Bolton level with a finish in the middle when a cross from their right flashed across the goal.
Unperturbed, Fylde then showed their ability with 2 further goals - Jess finishing neatly in the middle and then Techari's rasping drive deflected high into the goal. There was still time for further efforts from both sides and both GK's played well making good saves.
At the end of the game, Fylde beavers had again shown their quality and their wonderful willingness to put others in the team first by swapping positions and sharing the game time.
Please can I think all the players and their parents for making the journey and for your support! Well done all!!
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