Some key wins this week, with last week's reports at the bottom
Harrogate 1 0-2 Fylde 1
The previous weeks' disappointments were quickly forgotten with an explosive start in which Pru Lindsey and Jess Wharton linked up well for Pru to deflect the first goal after 5 minutes.
Fylde continued to win the ball high up the pitch and forced many early PC’s. It was from the corner that Pru again deflected from the Frankie Sinclair Bruce strike into the net.
There were multiple changes of formation as Harrogate looked to counter attack and play with three narrow forwards but the first quarter was well marshalled by the defence. It was a case of move the ball quickly and negate the Harrogate threats in the 2nd quarter and Matilda Jones-Perrott came in on debut. She looked assured in a couple of roles and helped the team to keep good possession.
In the 2nd half there was good link play between Wharton and Lindsey and lots of tight marking of the Harrogate playmaker. The work rate and intensity was maintained all game with solid performances from Amy Carter, Holly Farquharson, Olivia Merrick, Lucy Partington, Jessica Addy & Vicky Rukin ensured Katie Barker only had a couple of key saves to make. Special mention to Lisa Perry who marshalled the number 2 throughout the 2nd half to the point where both of them had a brief break harshly on the sideline as the umpire thought they got too close!
The group certainly has improved their understanding of the shape and structure we can play in as this was a huge improvement on the loses away at Leeds and Didsbury. We look forward to the challenge of Timperley next week.
Fylde 2 6-1 Lytham St Annes 1
Fylde came out fighting to go against Lytham and gain them points. We came out strong linking well between players allowing us to gain a goal in the first 15 min from Emma Savidge.
During the game Fylde were strong in the defence with Sally Livesey, EJ Dunkerley and Laura Knowles holding off any attempts from Lytham. We got another well fought goal in after 24 mins from Chelsea Atkinson making us lead at 2-0.
With some lovely passing back and forth between Grace Tomlinson and Natalie Smith led us up the pitch to get a goal from Keira Tomes after the ball being slotted across the D from Frankie Margerison.
Back into the second half with Lisa’s encouraging words (to keep the ball on the end of our stick) Fylde brought it with Keira powering to the top of the D and taking an immediate shot resulting in a commanding goal from herself.
In the 68th minute after some slim passing between the mids Grace T redeemed herself with a cracking shot straight into the corner. After some brilliant saves from Michelle Longton it was unlucky to get a short which the other team converted into a goal making it 5-1 but this fuelled us. With Jade Mottley and Olivia John-Haslam fighting it up the pitch, we got a comeback with a last goal from Lucy Wane bringing the score to 6-1, securely winning us the game.
Well done to all players for a brilliant game and thanks to all the support from the sidelines and the stand. Emma we all hope you’ll be alright.
Lancaster & Morecambe 1 2-1 Fylde 3
The 3rd team played some of their best hockey this season with lots of good movement and accurate passing. They played normal fare for this division an opposition of adults who use their physicality and experience to good effect.
The first half was dominated by Fylde but the score said 2 nil to Lancaster & Morecambe. A mixture of poor clearances and unfortunate decision making allowed the two occasions the opposition entered the D resulting in two goals.
The second half was similar except for a tighter midfield and quite a number of better chances from the mainly school girl team which resulted in an excellent goal from Rosie Leil.
Another defeat and another game played with 11 players. The physicality of the adult opposition is a factor and has to call into question whether u15s should be playing adult hockey. Are we losing young players because they do not enjoy playing adults.
Preston 3 1-0 Fylde 4
Fylde 4s made their way to UCLAN for their away fixture against Preston 3s. We prepared to meet a strong experienced team and were a little surprised to find an opposition more similar to our own, a mix of adults and youngsters.
The first half started well with strong runs up the pitch by Liz Johnson and Liddy Eccles in midfield. Fylde moved the ball well around the circle but struggled to get it to a player once inside of it! A fantastic strike from Liz Johnson, excited for a split second before it caught the post and bounced back into play. Preston’s young players had speed and spirit and made life difficult for Fylde down the centre of the pitch and also down their left hand side with Melissa Johnson Parker and Megan Eccles working hard to keep slowing the attack. Fylde continued to press and found a foot in the circle granting us a penalty corner. Despite a solid strike, a defender’s stick managed to intervene. At this point, Preston hadn’t had a shooting opportunity as we approached half time but they made a break down the middle and aimed a ball at goalkeeper Fran Loffler-Thomson who dived to knock the opportunity of a goal out of the way at full stretch!
Half time met with positive talk, more covering needed in the middle and more movement at the front to get the ball to goal. We welcomed the return of Summer Holroyd alongside Lotti Mackay who kept our left side strong. The break seemed to have lifted Preston as the difference between youth and experience started to show! They kept the attacks coming and it was becoming harder to get back to help defend each time. The decision to push higher in the last ten minutes to try to force a goal turned out to be a disadvantage when Preston broke the lines with 3 minutes to go, ending up in a one on one with the keeper. Despite a touch on the ball from Fran, Preston scored their winner in the dying moments. We came away having felt we deserved the draw if not a win but with two games left and needing 6 points to secure promotion, we look forward to the final two games.
Fylde 5 3-2 Pendle Forest 3
The team had everything to play for today but despite lots of possession in the first half the only goal came from Pendle after a miss hit from captain Debbie McClelland, devastated from her error. The team regrouped at half time and the term “it’s a game of 2 halves” comes to mind. Pendle persisted in trying to sneak balls passed Fylde to their experienced striker. They had some success but Fylde got some fire in their bellies. The true resilience that this squad have developed this season showed through. No matter what Pendle did, these girls didn’t give in.
Sophia Gough was intercepting everything and moving the game forward. Dawn Perruzza was smashing some great balls though the right and even went high to create some confusion on shorts. Emily Finney grew in confidence as the game progressed, reinforcing the midfield well. Olivia Hartley Smith despite illness went high and strong to bring home a goal when we needed it most. Sara Tomlinson had a near miss on target but more importantly created some excellent opportunities on the left. Hermione Edwards as always created strength and opportunity on the right battling time and time again to make attacks. Olivia Windows just days after her 13th birthday had an amazing debut to adult hockey with some well thought play and well placed crosses into the D. Megan Hartley Smith was at her best intercepting and creating play, time and time again to create the first goal scoring chance for Tilly Tomlinson whose goal turned the game around. Sophia Melling made some amazing drives for the D and managed to make the back board sing.
The girls did well but let’s not forget those at the back, Phillipa Hancock was full of a cold but fuelled from a Macdonald’s. Her good humour kept Debbie going and her amazing saves meant that the end to end game found Fylde the victors. Final score 3-2. Not as exciting as the cup final BUT a brilliant example of the power of team sport and working as a team to victory. We don’t do man of the match because we all give our best in Ladies 5s. Our best is good enough each week and this week we got a win. Win as a team lose as a team.
Fylde 6 Development 1-0 Longridge Development
It was another weekend of player shortages for all manner of reasons so Fylde 6’s did well to field a side. Reinforcements came from the 4th and 5th Teams so that eleven players could face a well stocked Longridge Development squad. The teams were well balanced with both sides fielding older experienced hands to support their young talents.
Fylde’s left flank players successfully exchanged positions to support tired legs, and individual preferences, and the team played some well drilled patterns as they moved forward. Player/coach Fran controlled from midfield whilst young match day captain, Hollie Guthrie, lead by example, scoring the only goal in the first half.
This was a fine, disciplined performance against an opposition with similar values. Credit to Julie Knowles, covering several positions, who always gives 100% and bakes great “brownies”! A good day out too for Michelle Finney who played carrying an injury, alongside one daughter, and watched another daughter playing for a visiting opponent!
It was a true family occasion with guest umpire Connor McClelland, home from university, enjoying officiating his mother, and coach Phil Hope overseeing his own daughter’s individual conquests on the field! A thoroughly enjoyable game also for the spectators to appreciate on this cold easterly wind swept day.
Clitheroe Blackburn Northern Devt 2-2 Fylde Men
The 4th meeting of the season between the development teams from Fylde and Clitheroe Blackburn Northern took place in Blackburn, switching from the originally scheduled home game, due to the last game having been switched at late notice from Blackburn to Mill Farm due to weather conditions. It’s been a confusing season!
With a vicious cold wind blowing across the exposed Westholme School pitch, Fylde started brightly and had good possession. However it took until midway through the half to open the scoring, with Richard Clarke entering the D on the right and striking a perfect ball across goal to Phil Hope who made no mistake at close range.
Blackburn came back into the game and had a number of short corners that the Fylde defence had to stoutly defend with both Pete Latimer and Craig Tilley both making important goal-line clearances.
At the start of the second half, Fylde increased their lead when James Dobson had a magnificent run down the right wing, crossed the ball to Oli Adewale on the left hand side of the D, who then slipped it to Richard Clarke in an unmarked position who found his spot in the goal with a well struck shot.
The game opened up in the rest of the half, with Blackburn’s experienced and skilful players taking more of the possession. They managed to dribble into the D and cross from the bye-line to an unmarked striker at the far post to make it 1-2. They then equalised with a deflection from a reverse stick shot from the top of the D.
Luke Hitchen was given a red card for dissent after having been felled in a robust tackle, and the last 10 minutes of the game were a little edgy taking away from what had been a good natured and balanced match up to that point, but the game ended in a 2-2 draw, and 0 points for both sides as per the rules for development teams.
Richard Clarke was voted Man of the Match, and the two teams meet again for a 5th time in the Lancashire Cup final for development teams on Saturday 20th April in what will undoubtedly be another tight game.
Last Week (2nd March)
Fylde 1 1-2 Leeds 1
After last Saturday’s disappointing performance and 3-0 loss away at Didsbury, Fylde ladies were looking for a good performance at home against Leeds.
Fylde started the game well, playing with good intensity all over the pitch and Leeds struggled to get through our press. A draw going into half time would have been a fair reflection of the game up to that point, but unfortunately minutes before the half time whistle Leeds scored against the run of play from a long ball that cut through the Fylde defence and found one of their forwards in the circle, who deflected the ball into the net.
Fylde were still confident of getting something out the game and started to connect better in the final third. Two disallowed goals followed for Fylde, one was deemed too high by the umpire on a penalty corner, and the other was unfortunately after the whistle had just gone, rather than allowing advantage.
Leeds made it 2-0 with an unbelievable reverse stick finish into the roof of the net, after Fylde failed to deal with a loose ball across the circle. Fylde continued to play with intensity and purpose, and this was rewarded in the 69th minute when Pru Lindsey scored to make it 2-1.
Unfortunately there was no time left for Fylde to chase another goal, but it was much more encouraging team performance with lots of positives to take into next week.
Wilmslow 1 2-2 Fylde 2
Despite facing top of our league Wilmslow today, we went into the game with confidence after lots of goals last week. With a change of formation to a strong back 4, we were able to lead from the back and make lots of chances in the first half; Ruby Cosgrove showcasing great skills and Chelsea Atkinson making great leads.
Fylde had the majority of the attacking possession for the first half with great link ups from the midfielders Lucy Wane, Grace Tomlinson and Olivia John-Haslam providing lots of line and inside options. During the game Fylde were strong in the defence with Jade Mottley, Laura Knowles and Ariana Milligan providing crucial cross pitch cover.
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half the excitement and opportunities continued with Emma Savidge scoring. Michelle Longton made some crucial saves and Sally Livesey dominated down the channel (and showcased gymnastic tumbles). With solid advice from EJ Dunkerley to protect the ball we went into half time leading 1-0.
During the second half the work rate was kept high with fantastic efforts from both Nat Smith and Frankie Margerison giving everything. Emma Savidge scored another awesome goal finding the tightest angle to take us further in the lead at 2-0.
In the 50th minute Wilmslow scored a goal in open play but we kept battled together. In the final 5 minutes of play Fylde had lots of chances, repeated short corners to continue the tension. In the final 2 minutes Wilmslow scored a well taken short corner with the final whistle the game finishing 2-2 - a well deserved draw against top of the league!!
Throughout the game Lisa Brownn made great substitutions and as always a big thank you to the Fylde fan club giving big encouragement from the stand!
Fylde 3 0-6 Lancaster University 1
Lancaster University are top of the division and assured of promotion whilst scoring plenty of goals in most games. This match was no exception as they linked well with assured individual skills and clinical finishing.
The young Fylde team were steadily broken down despite good defending and their goalkeeper captain, Freya Davis-Nunnick was kept very busy throughout the game. The Fylde players fought well and never gave up, occasionally entering the opposition circle but unable to threaten the goal. This young team is learning from every game and will be stronger next season through these experiences.
Three goals in each half sealed the defeat and leaves the Ladies 3’s still looking for points to avoid relegation.
Clitheroe Blackburn Northern Devt 2-0 Fylde 6 Devt
It was a cold and frosty start for the Ladies 6’s at Westholme School against a relatively new Clitheroe & Blackburn Development side. Fylde decided to play without a goalkeeper so that Grace Lord and Fran Loffler-Thompson could have a decent run out on this cold day!
It was a very open and even game with the opposition balancing many young players with one or two experienced seniors in defence. Fylde’s 13 players created many good chances and played some lovely hockey but just couldn’t break through the defensive lines. Clitheroe & Blackburn were gifted two scoring chances which they converted - one in each half.
Emily Finney had the game of her life and controlled the midfield, deserving to be Player of the Match! If we had converted our chances and had fielded a goalkeeper, it would have been a different story!