Match Reports 8 Nov 2025
- Peter Latimer
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
4 wins in a row for the Fylde teams playing at home, including both the Men's & Ladies 1st's, and an away win for the Ladies 3's.
Fylde 1 3-1 Didsbury Northern 1
Fylde Ladies 1s produced a dominant display at Mill Farm to claim all three points with a convincing 3–1 victory over Didsbury Northern in the National League Conference North.
The home side made a bright start, taking the lead early on when Grace McGarvey threaded a perfectly timed pass through to Sophia Murray, who calmly fired past the goalkeeper to make it 1–0. Fylde’s early pressure didn’t let up, and soon after, McGarvey found herself in space at the top of the D, unleashing a powerful strike into the bottom corner to double the lead.
Fylde’s midfield pairing of Lisa Perry and Lucy Wane controlled proceedings and created numerous problems for the Didsbury defence. Up front, Nicky Kellett’s tireless work rate kept the visiting backline under constant pressure, and she was rewarded with a well-worked goal of her own, slotting neatly into the corner to make it 3–0 before half-time.
After the break, Didsbury Northern showed more intent and were able to pull one back in the 55th minute when a crash ball into the D deflected off several players before finding its way into the net, reducing the deficit to 3–1.
Despite the late pressure, Fylde remained composed and saw out the match to secure a deserved victory and another three points.
Fylde will look to build on this momentum when they face Kirkby Stephen next week.
Macclesfield 1 3-2 Fylde 2
Fylde began the match with real control, dominating early possession and preventing Macclesfield from settling. Strong phases down the right, driven by excellent interlinking play from Sally Livesey, Esther Thomson and Emma Savidge, kept Fylde on the front foot. Macclesfield’s central strength was effectively neutralised by Fylde’s disciplined press, forcing them wide exactly as planned in the pre-match briefing.
Fylde’s pressure earned their first short corner. “Number one” was called, and EJ Dunkerley’s direct strike beat both the keeper and the defenders on the line to put Fylde 1–0 ahead. Macclesfield then regrouped and generated threatening play of their own down the right, eventually winning a short corner. The routine was well executed and targeted the bottom-right corner, but EJ was positioned perfectly to clear long to Emma Savidge. Emma drove straight into the D on the counter but couldn’t quite manufacture an outcome.
The remainder of the half was end to end. Fylde won a second short corner shortly before the interval. “Number two” was called: a short ball to Chelsea Atkinson, who swept a dangerous pass across goal. A Macclesfield defender got a partial touch, leaving the ball loose, and EJ reacted decisively, sweeping it past the keeper on the right foot for a deserved 2–0 lead.
Macclesfield responded with a fast break down Fylde’s left, and a well-placed cross into the D was met by an oncoming attacker who nudged it past Sophie Slawson. Half-time: Fylde 2–1.
A positive team talk set the tone for the second half, and Fylde restarted strongly, but so did Macclesfield. Their third short corner of the match produced a sharply executed routine, bringing the score to 2–2. Both sides then traded opportunities, with shots narrowly wide at each end. With ten minutes remaining, Macclesfield won another short corner. Although initially broken down, Fylde were unable to clear cleanly, and Macclesfield capitalised to take a 3–2 lead.
Fylde pushed hard in the final minutes, showing determination and real attacking intent, but despite sustained pressure they couldn’t find the equaliser. Final score: Macclesfield 3–2 Fylde.
A superb performance from the team, despite the frustration of leaving without points, there were numerous positives and plenty to build on going forward.
Lancaster & District 2 0-1 Fylde 3
After last week’s unfortunate loss, the 3s were determined this week to go back to their winning ways. The game started out with Fylde being in possession of the ball in their attacking 23 for the majority of the first half.
The 3s continued to set up their well-practised press which inevitably landed them with the ball on most, if not all occasions, which meant that forwards Sophia Melling, Talia Armstead and Natalie Smith could create pressure on the Lancaster back line and get their shots away early. This week it was clear that the 3s were using each other more, our defensive line worked well together to shift the ball round the back and up the sides to outpace the more experienced Lancaster side, this created several more opportunities on goal in the D in the first half of the match.
Fylde gained a number of short corners where Hermione Edwards took the first strike, despite the ball hitting the backboard the score line was still 0-0 after the ball didn’t leave the D. Later into the first half Olivia John-Haslam picked the ball up in the midfield at Top D and executed a beautiful reverse which went top bins into the back of the net, however, yet again, the ball was just outside the D, so at half time the score was still 0-0.
The second half brought Fylde one sub down as Issy Gut got her knee in the way of our own team’s shot, needing to be carried off the pitch, however enjoying numerous packets of sweets on the sideline, but this didn’t phase the 3s, they continued to pass the ball around and use each other to make some excellent play on the field.
Again Fylde had countless shots on goal, but we just couldn’t seem to find the back of the net. Hermione Edwards played incredibly at right back chasing every impossible ball, picking it up on the line and driving the ball into the D to create more panic for the Lancaster opposition. In what was a tense game for both sides, Sophia Melling did amazingly in pressurising the Lancaster defender which did however cause both sides receiving a green card late into the game.
But in the 69th minute of the game, Abbie Warburton won the 3s a short corner and with the clock ticking Fylde knew they needed to make this one count. Abbie injected the ball straight out to Lydia Hayhurst who waited for it at top D, she then passed the ball off to Olivia John-Haslam who dragged the ball around the defensive runner to reverse it into the back of the goal and luckily this time she was in the D, so the score became 1-0 to Fylde.
This leaves the 3s still top of the league going into next week’s match against Kirby Lonsdale but not only that, 3 points and 10+ goal difference clear at the top. Despite Fylde feeling as though they should have scored more goals, there was no doubt about the effort all the girls put into this match and it was clear Lancaster just wanted to defend the score line as much as they could.
Player of the match was awarded to Olivia John-Haslam for excellent finish, winning us the game!
Brookfield 1 2-0 Fylde 4
Fylde 4s travelled to Walton le Dale to play Brookfield 1s this week. Brookfield had been floating around the top of the table so we knew this could be a tough match against experienced adults. We were right! Brookfield had big hitters and tended to catch us on the break resulting in a lot of running back and forth as Fylde would pass well to work the ball up the pitch to be quickly turned over once we arrived in their D.
The first half saw Fylde generally have the upper hand, Camilla Wyles tormented the defence with her pace and ability to switch to the reverse. A couple of our usual defence were AWOL (only joking but not sure who approved it 😁) seeing Ellie Hope and Megan Eccles step into the breach. Brookfield worked hard to get free so marking was a full time job.
Brookfield scored their first as we approached half time and Fylde looked likely to equalise when, following a short corner, Sophia Taylor received the pass around the keeper and aimed in the very large gap. In this writer’s opinion, the ball was stopped on the line by an opposition foot and then cleared out to the left. A free hit was awarded to Brookfield and Fylde had to move on.
The second half saw a second early goal from Brookfield but Fylde continued to fight. There were good chances in short corners, Liv Hartley-Smith executing her signature pass which experienced Brookfield were able to block. Brookfield continued to catch us on the break and as the minutes counted down tired legs were a factor. Laura Troth was outstanding in goal, one of the final attacks from Brookfield saw her go down and get back up again three times in quick succession, deflecting every single shot.
Fylde played well and had plenty to learn from playing a solely adult team. Onwards and upwards!
Fylde 5 4-1 Brookfield 2
Ladies 5’s were strong from the offset with Sadie Atkinson scoring our first goal in the 7th minute. Brookfield 2 put up a strong fight, but with Faye Jackson putting in a great shift as ever in goals and a brilliant defensive line from Leah Richmond, Dawn Perruzza, Sienna Kitson and Evie Green, Brookfield struggled to get the goals in.
There was some strong determination from the forwards and midfields too, with Alyssa Woodman running the entire length of the pitch on several occasions putting real pressure on the oppositions defence!
Sadie Atkinson scored the 2nd goal of the game in the 23rd minute, making it 2-0.
As half time approached Brookfield 2 took a short corner and scored their only goal, making the score 2-1.
With a good team talk at half time, we came back onto the pitch with real determination to keep the defence strong and the goals coming. It was not long until Jasmine Stirrup, who had worked hard all game delivered the 3rd goal in the 45th minute. Which was closely followed with Lola Cooper scouring an amazing goal in the 57th minute, making the score 4-1.
Great teamwork, perseverance and determination gave the girls the win that they deserved! Well done team.
Fylde 6 Development 2-0 Lancaster & District 4
Fylde 6/Development Team completed a rare sequence of four straight Home Wins today as they defeated Lancaster & District 4 at Mill Farm in the final late game of the day.
There were also a few more rarities to report! Firstly, Fylde had a full squad of 16 players so Fran L/T coached.
Secondly, earlier in the day the opposition were in contact requesting the “loan” of a player as they only had ten players. In the spirit of the game Fylde duly accepted the request - something which can only be done in the Development Division. Adults Alice Bishop and Heather Appleyard volunteered, one in each half, and their defensive roles stifled the Fylde forwards.
Cora Sweeney in goals had a quiet game but still made some strong kicking saves. Captain Faith Mcgillivray held firm in defence with two different partners, Heather Appleyard and Amelie Horabin, whilst Lily Elgendy, Ruby Roberts, Penny Atkinson and Faz Choudhury maintained a strong second line of defence.
Young Penny Atkinson spread the ball confidently to her hard working midfield allies, Issy Hill and Olivia Branthwaite, with Lily Elgendy and Ruby Roberts interchanging for support.
As is the custom for the Fylde youth teams, we had too many keen forwards. This meant that Ella Blackburn, Imi Todd, Carrena Leverton, Esme Bradley and Julie Knowles had to be strategically substituted to give balance and experience to the front line.
The first half was basically a stalemate as each squad probed their opposition without success.
A strong half time chat, focused on the forward line adjusting their radar and avoiding direct shots at the goalkeeper, seemed to do the trick!
Penny Atkinson opened the scoring with a well struck shot following a surging run through the midfield.
Penny also assisted the second goal with a strong, accurate pass to Ella Blackburn who had just run into the right hand shooting zone. Two touches later the ball was in the net with a powerful far post strike, leaving their good goalkeeper floundering.
This young team are full of talent and confidence and their progress will be keenly watched as the season progresses.
Fylde 1 7-5 Lancaster University 2
Fylde Men started the match day at Mill Farm with a combined league & cup fixture against Lancaster University 2’s, league points up for grabs and also progression to the semi-final of the Lancashire Cup for Division 4 (North, East & West) teams.
A strong side, with the returning Simon Holt and Harry Gordon, played their perhaps their best half of hockey all season, passing and moving, with a dominant 4-1 score at half-time.
Simon Holt opened the scoring with a well taken goal, after Charlie Oliver had dribbled into the D and passed the ball. Minutes later a short corner was won and Harry Gordon drilled the ball straight like a rocket.
2-0 and cruising, dominating possession and pressing the Lancaster students in their own half for long periods. They did manage a few attacks of their own, most of which were dealt with by a solid Fylde defence. However, one clearance was mishit leaving an opposing striker possession and able to driblle into the D and take a strike just out of reach of a Fylde defender, and he found his spot perfectly.
With the lead reduced to a single goal, from the restart Fylde calmly went down the other end of the pitch, won a short corner, and then let Harry Gordon repeat his first goal with another unstoppable missile straight to the back-board, 3-1.
Later in the half, a quick defensive clearance from Tim van Rijn within the D, led to a counter-attack, ending with Harry Gordon in possession, rounding the last defender and then picking his spot against the goalkeeper to score his hat-trick and give Fylde a 4-1 lead.
Fylde started the second half in the same way, pressing hard and making life difficult for the Lancs Uni defence. An error enabled Simon Holt to gain possession on the bye-line just inside the D, and he then dribbled and cheekily flicked the ball on his reverse above the diving goalkeeper.
A few minutes later Simon Holt dribbled past several players in the middle of the park towards the D, then passed to Harry Gordon who duly scored with his 4th of the day, and give Fylde a commanding 6-1 lead.
Lancs Uni weren’t finished and were able to claw one goal back with a clinically taken opportunity, however Fylde scored their 7th with a goal mouth scramble where Charlie Oliver got the important final touch.
At this point Fylde started to take the game for granted, pushed up high too much, with everyone looking to either get on the score sheet or assist with another goal. The large and young university squad rotated and their fitness and speed started to play dividends. Somehow they managed to score 3 goals within about 10 minutes, and at 7-5 started to believe they could be onto a famous comeback.
Fylde tightened up at the back, and saw the game out for the vital 3 league points and a return to 2nd place, together with a place in the cup semi-final against one of Bolton 1, West Derby 2, or the winner of Northern 1 and St Helens 1.
Despite his 4 goals, Harry Gordon lost out on the vote for Man of the Match to Simon Holt, but both players were on top form.
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