Match Reports 17 Jan 2026
- Peter Latimer
- 12 hours ago
- 6 min read
The return of league hockey after Christmas and last week's icy temperatures
Formby 1 3-2 Fylde 2
Fylde Ladies 2s put in a strong and spirited performance but were narrowly beaten 3–2 by Formby HC in a closely contested match.
Fylde started the stronger side with a refreshed line-up that included two new players, showing good energy and cohesion from the outset. After 11 minutes, a confident build-up from the back earned Fylde their third short corner, and Emma Dunkerley’s well-struck effort deceived the keeper to hit the backboard, giving Fylde a deserved 1–0 lead.
Formby responded quickly, equalising from their own short corner. Despite this, Fylde stayed positive, continuing to move the ball well and create chances. Camilla Wyles came close with a superb effort that was brilliantly denied by the Formby keeper.
With end-to-end play and both teams pushing for control, Formby took the lead after a defensive lapse allowed a cross to bobble through to a waiting striker.
Formby began the second half strongly, capitalising on a brief drop in Fylde’s concentration to break through the middle and fire a dangerous ball across the D, leaving Sophie Slawson with no chance as Formby extended their lead to 3–1 in the 46th minute.
That goal sparked Fylde back into action, and just four minutes later Hermione broke from the back and linked up superbly with Emma Savidge, who rounded the keeper and slotted home to make it 3–2. Fylde pushed hard for an equaliser and looked the more likely side to score late on, but time ran out.
A mixed end to the match for Fylde—proud of their performance and attitude, but bitterly disappointed not to take something from a game where they showed real quality and resilience.
On a side note the girls would like to wish Emma Savidge a speedy return after breaking her finger within the first 10mins! 😢
Garstang 2 3-0 Fylde 3
After a long Christmas break and the majority of matches being cancelled last week due to the icy weather, Fylde 3s travelled to one of their most local matches in Garstang.
With what was set out to be a tough game due to Garstang’s new team with more experienced players, the 3s started with determination. The first half saw dominance from our ladies 3s and many attacking threats from Issy Gut, driving down the base line.
Fylde played the ball out the back extremely well, using Abbie Warburton in the midfield to get ahead of the opposition. Unfortunately, Garstang won a short corner in the first half, which the strike was initially saved by goal keeper Emily Byers, however the ball just managed to trickle over the goal line to put Garstang ahead by 1-0.
The 3s took the ball straight away and got stuck back in and didn’t let their heads drop. Going into half time the score was 1-0. At half time the team spoke about covering the space in the middle, where one of the Garstang attackers was sitting in, by making sure the whole team moved up and down the pitch as a unit.
The second half again showed how much Fylde were able to put Garstang under defensive pressure, Abi Wensley worked tirelessly in the corners to force the ball into the D in hope one of our players could get a shot on goal.
In the second half, the 3s gave the Garstang keeper a lot more work. Issy Gut then ran down the baseline again, beating the defender and passing the ball to Abi Wensley, who took a shot on the turn which the keeper just saved but which then led to Fylde gaining a short corner; Liv John-Haslam and Jessica Jennings worked this one between themselves but unfortunately no outcome.
Minutes later, Jessica Jennings dribbled through the midfield and won a short corner on the edge of the D. This one was pulled out perfectly by Megan Hartley-Smith to Abbie Southern which was then slapped into the corner for runners Issy Gut and Jessica Jennings but nobody could quite find the right touch into the backboard.
In the last 10 minutes, Garstang managed to put away two more goals through scrappy short corners. Although this was not the result the 3s wanted, the whole team worked for each other from beginning to end but it just wasn’t our day.
We still remain at the top of the league, where we will look to go back to our winning ways against Ulverston on home grounds. Player of the match this week was a tie between Abbie Warburton for strongly holding the middle of the pitch and distributing the ball from side to side and Emily Byers for carrying out some class saves throughout the game.
Fylde 4 1-3 Leyland & Chorley 1
Fylde 4s hosted Leyland and Chorley at home for the first (playable) game of the new year. The team were looking forward to showing off all they had learnt since the previous meeting which resulted in an 8-0 loss.
Fylde put on a strong display, denying Leyland and Chorley many opportunities. The play was fairly even but a well rehearsed L&C managed to take the lead early on. Fylde didn’t let this sway them and held them to 1-0 until half time.
After the restart, Fylde set out to dominate and made good use of space and transferring the ball around the back. L&C scored their second after multiple consecutive saves were made by Laura Troth.
Determined to keep pushing, Fylde didn’t give up. Hollie Guthrie collected a pass from half way and travelled into the circle, sending the ball to the far post to be neatly tapped in by Sophia Taylor.
Fylde continued with this intensity and worked hard to find an equaliser. In the last ten minutes, L&C were awarded a couple of short corners. The final one resulted in a hasty goal bringing the final score to 3-1.
A huge improvement from September, the team should take credit for their resilience against a strong opposition.
Fylde 5 7-1 Southport 2
What a great first match back after Christmas and New year for the Ladies 5’s who put in a brilliant performance to secure a convincing 7–1 victory against Southport 2’s.
The game got off to a flying start with Eleanor Bullough opening with the first point early on, finishing off an impressive reverse strike from the back line. She followed this up shortly after with her second goal, setting the tempo for the rest of the match.
Fylde continued to press hard, and the pressure paid off with two well-taken goals from Alyssa Woodman. To round off an excellent first half, Sadie Atkinson added another goal, sending Fylde into the break with a 5–0 lead.
At half time, the team regrouped and delivered a motivational talk, coming back strong, focused, and ready to finish the job. Southport 2’s managed to pull one goal back in the second half, but Fylde did not let this affect their momentum.
Niamh Smith extended the lead with another impressive goal, before Eleanor Bullough completed her hat-trick with Fylde’s seventh goal of the game.
The defence were solid throughout, working tirelessly and putting up a strong fight to limit Southport’s chances. It was a complete team performance from start to finish. A well-deserved win for Fylde Ladies 5’s — congratulations, ladies! 💙🏑
Fylde 6 Development 1-4 Longridge Development
Fylde’s last match of the day brought some comical incidents to a long day for some at Mill Farm. Sixteen keen players prepared for action and confused everyone by starting with thirteen on the pitch! The sea of white included five forwards who all thought they were starting!
Longridge fielded a balanced team of experienced adults and older youngsters who deserved the victory through good passing and ball control.
Fylde’s youngsters never gave up the chase as the opposition goals were conceded at a steady pace. Cora Sweeney was busy in goals and Poppy Benson cleared off the line on her debut, but Fylde’s youngsters rarely broke through Longridge’s experienced defence.
It was strange to see the Brookfield 1st Team goalie “guesting” for them but it was, after all, a no-pointer Development game!
Fylde made a second attempt to confuse everyone at the start of the second half too! They had to quickly scramble another player onto the pitch as they only had ten players on this time!
Still, as order was restored and the keen youngsters continued to counter-attack from 4-0 down, Carenna Leverton ploughed through a rare chaotic moment in their defence to score her first goal of the season.
It was a very enjoyable match, played in good spirit on both sides, and finished off with some delicious home made samosas from Farzana, and cake from Julie, for those who socialised after the game.
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