Clwb Hoci Eirias 1XI 0-1 Fylde 1XI
North Hockey League Division 3
Fylde’s first team made the long away trip to Welsh side Eirias on Saturday, and continued their unbeaten season with a 1-0 victory.
Fylde brought defender Ben Mortimer into the side for his first appearance of the season and his selection was justified with an impressive display throughout. Fylde could have taken the lead early on, Jordan Payne doing all the hard work but narrowly putting the ball wide. And the chances didn’t end their, with Josh Boyne and Sam Bury both failing to convert chances on the break. HT 0-0
Eirias continued to frustrate Fylde in the second half with their physical style of play and seemingly breaking down every opportunity the away side created. Eventually though, Fylde got the breakthrough. A new penalty corner routine saw Josh Boyne fire in, albeit with a fortuitous deflection of a defenders stuck, looping up and over the keeper. The heavy tackles continued to fly in from both sides and this hit boiling point when an Eirias player reacted, lashing out on Rob Jepson. Fylde’s Chris Banks responded with equal aggression and both players saw cards, ending their afternoons on the pitch.
Fylde can be grateful for their keeper Nick Rainbow though for the win. A series of top saves earned him the man of the match award and a clean sheet to go with it (although a late disallowed Eirias goal could have ruined that).
Fylde remain 4 points clear at the top with a game in hand to second places Timperley.
Fylde 2XI 0-2 Keswick 2XI
North West Hockey League Division 2 North
Fylde 2's lost to their promotion rivals Keswick 2's after a disappointing home performance.
After scoring 5 or more goals in their last four games, Fylde's striking partnership of Luca Sempers and Phil Hope were unable to find the net, with chances a lot fewer.
Keswick were able to enjoy long spells of posession, and grabbed a goal in the first half and then another to seal the game in the second half.
Fylde will have to put this game behind them and now face a must win game against their other promotion rival Leyland & Chorley next week.
Fylde 3XI 0-6 West Derby 2XI
North West Hockey League Division 3 North
Fylde 3's knew they would have a tough match against top of the table West Derby 2's, and lined up in a defensive 3-1-4-1 formation with an aim to go into half-time without conceding a goal.
Alas within 5 minutes that hope had gone when West Derby scored with Fylde struggling to adjust to the attacking onslaught, but for the remainder of the half Fylde defended manfully.
There were attacking moments for Fylde and Jack Williams let off a strike which seemed goal-bound until a diving goalkeeper save. West Derby grabbed a second goal from a short corner before half-time.
Fylde's remaining hope disapeared after two quick goals were conceded at the start of the second half. They continued to battle, but couldn't quite find a decent shot on goal despite plenty of posession. West Derby grabbed another two goals, including a screamer of a shot from the top of the D, to finish 6-0 victors.
Jack Williams was voted Fylde's man of the match.
Fylde 4XI
North West Hockey League Division 4 North North
No game.