Fylde 1XI 6-0 Prescot 1XI
North Hockey League Division 3
Fylde’s first team put in another dominant display, scoring 6 unanswered goals against fourth placed Prescot.
After a scrappy opening 10 minutes, Fylde took full control with three goals in short succession. The first was a well worked penalty corner which Jordan Payne converted, then the forward turned provider by setting up James Oakes to score following a great all-round team move. Man of the match Aaron Sadler grabbed the third, driving into the D before calmly dragging the ball left and firing home on his reverse stick. In the blink of an eye, the game had effectively been won.
Captain Simon Major scored the fourth, putting the ball under the keeper from another penalty corner. And the home side found themselves five up at the break when a Josh Boyne flick was deflected home by Payne for his second.
The second half didn’t quite see the same level of intensity, nor the volume of goals as the first. Prescot didn’t do themselves any favours either, a series of cards for dangerous tackles meant they played most the half under strength and this hit boiling point when one saw red for his second yellow of the game. Jordan Payne managed to complete his hat-trick mid way through the half and that completed Fyldes scoring, although Ian Swaine could have made it seven had he not fluffed his lines with a tame penalty stroke straight at the keeper.
Fylde remain unbeaten and top of North 3, with a double header to come next week.
Leyland and Chorley 1XI 3-4 Fylde 2XI
North West Hockey League Division 2 North
After last week’s home defeat to Keswick, Fylde 2’s travelled to Leyland & Chorley for a must-win match against their other rival in the three team battle for the second promotion spot behind champions Didsbury Northern.
There were late changes to the squad and the defence in particular, with Pete Latimer being called up from the 3’s and Rob Dingle from his winter hibernation. It was the worst of starts for Fylde as they conceded a short corner and a straight shot eluded Danny Taylor in goal.
Fylde started to assert themselves, and with determined pressure Phil Hope dispossessed a Leyland defender and made no mistake when one on one against the goalkeeper. A couple of minutes later Fylde took the lead, after a storming run by Andy Mortimer down the right wing, who crossed with an initial shot by Luca Sempers saved, but only to the top of the D where Alex Horrocks fired off an unstoppable shot. Later in the half Leyland managed to grab an equaliser in a breakaway move making it 2-2 at half-time.
Leyland put a lot of pressure on Fylde’s defence in the second half, and were awarded many short corners which in the main were snuffed out by the runners and saves from Danny Taylor, however they finally scored from one to take the lead 3-2.
Fylde continued pressing, with Luca Sempers unlucky not to score from a solo dribble and shot which hit the crossbar. The equaliser came from an initial dribble from left back Rob Dingle who cheekily passed to Ryan Nicholls with a back stick pass whilst facing the opposite way and deceiving the defence, allowing Nicholls to thread the ball across the D for Alan Simpson to tap into the goal.
Fylde then went looking for a winner and after several short corners without any luck, Luca Sempers got hold of the ball at the top of the D and launched one of his trademark drag flicks into corner of the net.
Fylde had to defend against one last Leyland short corner, but managed to hold on to win 4-3, which lifts them up to 2nd in Div 2N, above both Leyland & Keswick by 2 points, but both teams have a game in hand, so results in each of the last four games is vital.
Fylde 3XI 1-4 Bolton 2XI
North West Hockey League Division 3 North
Fylde 3s took an ambitious attacking approach to their game against Bolton 2s, but within the first 10 minutes, Fylde were 2-0 down and had to change to a more defensive approach. The Bolton attacks were very quick and precise and it wasn't long before the 3rd goal was scored, leaving Fylde a lot to think about. The Fylde attacks were increasing in amount and the pressure was piled on, often resulting in attacking short corners. Fylde's only goal came from Tim Wilson, who jumped on a rebounded shot to calmly slot above the keeper into the net, 3-1. The half time changes saw man of the match Martin Stringfellow change from CM to CB, as he was the one taking Bolton's key playmaker out of the game and also making many fine tackles, interceptions and clearances during the second half. Bolton solidified their win with a 4th goal and left Fylde battling both the opposition and storm Dennis.
Kendal 2XI 15-0 Fylde 4XI
North West Hockey League Division 4 North North
The Fylde Men’s 4th team game away to league leaders, Kendal, was always going to be a challenge. However with last minute drop outs due to the lurgy taking us down to 9 players and Storm Dennis seemingly supporting the opposition, it became mission impossible. At half time it was 7 or 8 to the home team as the rain poured down occasionally turning to sleet. With the game lost an attempt was made to push for an away goal regardless of an increase to conceded goals. However with some of the younger members starting to show signs of being affected by the harsh conditions, the game ended 15-0 to the home side. All credit to the Heroic 9 for standing up to the challenge and hoping the storm count will hold off for the remaining matches of the season.