Match Reports 20 Sep 2025
- Peter Latimer
- Sep 23
- 7 min read
The torrential rain didn't stop any of Fylde's games from going ahead, although with mixed results.
Bowdon 2 2-1 Fylde 1
The National League season got underway this weekend with Fylde Ladies 1st Team making the trip to face Bowdon 2s. With both sides finishing last season strongly, this fixture promised to be a lively contest.
Fylde started brightly, with Olivia Newman-Kirk causing early problems for the Bowdon defence through her pace. Despite Fylde’s strong opening, Bowdon soon found their rhythm and began to apply pressure of their own. Goalkeeper Katie Barker was called into action on several occasions, producing a string of excellent saves to keep the score level.
As the rain continued to pour, Bowdon’s persistence eventually paid off. On 34 minutes, they converted from a penalty corner to take the lead, before quickly doubling their advantage shortly after.
Fylde refused to let their heads drop and responded with determination. Their attacking intent was rewarded when Newman-Kirk found the bottom of the goal from a penalty corner.
Despite Fylde’s relentless push for an equaliser, Bowdon’s defence stood firm to secure the three points on the opening day. Fylde will take plenty of positives into next week’s clash away at Alderley Edge.
Fylde 2 2-3 Formby 1
Fylde 2s up against a tricky Formby side who put 7 past Preston the previous week! But with a full squad and lessons learned from the previous week they were ready for a tough match!
Fylde started slow with Formby having all the play, Fylde found it difficult to get out of their own half! Formby’s pressure paid off after winning a few short corners and one was successfully converted.
This seemed to boost Fylde, they started making connections and getting into Formby’s D, after a few short corners of their own it was Fylde’s turn to score through Jess Anderson.
Then just before half time it was Fylde with all the play, the forwards working so hard to get the ball in the D, this brought another short corner, a well worked corner straight from the training via Chelsea Atkinson seen Fylde take the lead! 2-1
After half time, and a little move around, Fylde started the second half how they finished the first. However Formby started to get their passing back together and with a great ball though and Fylde out of position from open play Formby put the ball away 2-2.
The play was end to end, but with some tenacious pressing and the determination to win the ball back high up the pitch was working, another short corner to Fylde. The ball was put out well and with a sweet strike from Megan straight into the bottom left of the goal. However the ball was deemed to be hit outside the D, no goal!
Formby seemed to get an extra bit of energy and started really putting the pressure on, winning their only short corner of the second half, a very well worked move saw them score their 3rd.
With 4mins to go Fylde took off their keeper off and added an extra mid, this paid off and now all the play was in Formby’s half, one last short corner won by Fylde but unfortunately we couldn’t convert!
Final score 3-2, a very disappointed squad but so much improved from the week before, up and onward!!
Fylde 3 6-0 Garstang 2
This weekend’s fixture was played in particularly wet conditions, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of Fylde 3rd XI. With energy high from the first whistle and an understanding that a strong result was needed ahead of a week with limited availability, the team set out with determination from the first pushback.
One of the team’s key pre-match focuses was creating outcomes in the D — and it took just four minutes to do exactly that. Fylde were awarded a short corner, which Sophia Melling stepped up to strike, she struck cleanly. Although her effort was initially saved by the Garstang keeper, the rebound fell kindly to Issy Gut, who made no mistake in firing it into the net for the opening goal.
Fylde continued to pay high quality hockey, passing the ball round, working with each other and finding a through ball for the forwards to create chances with. Fylde’s second goal came from a stunning cross ball delivered by Hermione Edwards to Abi Wensley who times her run perfectly to back post to tap the ball into the goal.
The 3’s continued to work hard, moving the ball round smoothly and setting up the press quickly to ensure Garstang were unable to find a way through.
Half time arose where as a team we talked about what was working for us such as pressing high and attacking with confidence. But we discussed what we could work on which for us was how we were going to manage an overload in the middle of the pitch.
10 minutes into the second half saw Issy Gut driving down the baseline, outpacing the Garstang defenders and crossing the ball into Sophia Melling who positioned herself beautifully to score Fylde’s third goal.
As the match progressed, Fylde’s backline stood firm, dealing confidently with Garstang’s attacking threats and maintaining their clean sheet. In the 51st minute, Sophia Melling showcased her skill again, beating Garstang’s centre back before laying off a precise pass to Natalie Smith, who slotted it into the bottom right corner to make it 4-0. But Fylde didn’t stop there!
Only 3 minutes later Issy Gut increased the score line again to 5-0 by taking advantage of the rebounds given back to us, and as if 2 goals wasn’t enough, 8 minutes later she scored another goal to complete her hat-trick!
For the remainder of the game Fylde tried to keep possession of the ball which was one of their main aims for today’s match, which they executed trying to manage the game in order to not allow Garstang any chances of scoring.
The match finished with a 6-0 win which put Fylde 3s to the top of the league in just the second week of matches, this is an outstanding result and we couldn’t be prouder of these girls who are working hard every week and working for each other, which pays off in the end results.
Player of the match this week was awarded to Issy Gut, she played with determination and let’s not forget her hat-trick!
Leyland & Chorley 1 8-0 Fylde 4
Fylde arrived at Buckshaw Village with the rain pouring non stop during the visit against Leyland and Chorley.
Fylde started with the ball but shortly went 1-0 down in the first minute. Despite this, Fylde still kept their heads up and attempted to press up into the opposition's final third, using the wide options well. Nikki Richmond was very vocal and helped the team attempt the new defensive half court press assigned by coach Sharron.
Fylde had some short corner opportunities but unfortunately failed to convert and Leyland and Chorley managed to keep scoring, making it 4-0 at half time.
Fylde started the second half looking to close the deficit in the scoreline and good play by Sara Tomlinson and Emily Finney helped Fylde press high and get up the pitch. Aimee Jennings and Isla Carter created some good opportunities for Fylde to put away a goal but the opposition’s goalkeeper was unwilling to allow Fylde through.
Fylde’s defence and goalkeeper worked their socks off but couldn't prevent Leyland and Chorley from scoring goals. Near the end of the second half, Fylde had a great spell of possession and chances in the opposition’s half of the pitch but unfortunately finished the game with a disappointing 8-0 loss.
Fylde are looking to improve and work on all aspects of the game during training and hopefully start winning games in the near future.
Fylde 5 2-1 Clitheroe Blackburn Northern 3
Fylde Ladies 5th’s have won both of their first two matches with a brilliant 2-1 victory over Clitheroe Blackburn in Saturday’s heavy rain. After a tough defeat to the same opposition last time, the team came back stronger and showed real fight.
Sophia Taylor opened the scoring with a smart flick into the bottom corner, before Jasmine Stirrup doubled the lead with a strong strike.
With six forwards in the squad several players took on the challenge to play out of position, Sophia Taylor, Alyssa Woodman, Birdie Singleton and Evie Green worked tirelessly in midfield, while Evie Bromley led the defence superbly. Keeper Faye Jackson also had a cracking game making key saves to keep Fylde ahead.
Clitheroe pulled one back after the break, but Fylde quickly regained control and held firm. With no adults in the side, the young team showed great maturity and spirit.
Player of the match went to Sadie Atkinson for an excellent performance.
A fantastic all-round effort and plenty more goals and wins still to come!
Fylde 6 Development 1-3 Lancaster University 2
The Ladies 6th/Development Team played their first match of the season against a well drilled and fairly experienced Lancaster University 2nd Team. This was their first foray into the local Saturday leagues but they had to start in our bottom division!
Fylde has a good balance of young players, new adults and experienced oldies and the game was fairly matched, from a spectators viewpoint. We also had the best weather on a foul day despite everyone coming off the field drenched!
The University girls scored three reasonable goals with Eleanor Bullough responding for Fylde towards the end with her own decisive strike!
It was not a day for a big bench but Fylde had a full complement of 16 players who all rotated until the cold set in! Every credit should go to the team who will only improve in experience as the season moves on. We should also be proud of our first class pitch which hosted a full day of four matches whilst the footballers were waterlogged off!
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