Pendle Forest 1sts 2-3 Fylde Ladies' 1
Lancashire Lockdown Trophy
Tier three restrictions have put a halt to most National League fixtures, but Fylde Ladies 1st XI were in action instead in the locally-organised Covid Trophy, put together for Lancashire’s top teams.
Fylde took on fellow National League club Pendle Forrest in the first fixture of this novel league. Having lost to Pendle earlier in the season, Fylde saw this as a grudge match and they didn’t disappoint. Playing as a solid unit, Fylde saw off multiple strong attacks from Pendle, and thanks to a smooth interception in the Fylde defence by Beth Dowbiggin, the ball quickly found itself at the opposite end of the pitch and in the Pendle net thanks to a clean strike from Hattie Madden.
Pendle tried to show their prowess, managing two goals, but in the final half, and very fired up, Fylde quickly made the most of another attacking play from Fylde's superior midfield. The ball this time finding the back of the net from the stick of Dr Hannah Cook. Hattie Madden took a looping shot over the oncoming Pendle keeper which was casually tipped into the net by newcomer Pru Lindsey.
Fylde finished the game with a 3-2 victory.
Fylde Ladies' 2 0-1 Garstang Ladies 1s
Lancashire Lockdown Trophy
Fylde Ladies 2's faced the recently promoted Garstang in the first game of the newly formed Lancashire Lockdown Trophy.
Fylde had a very shaky start to the game in absolutely terrible conditions of high winds and torrential rain. Fylde struggled to maintain shape and connect passes, resulting in Garstang slotting in an early goal in open play from the top of the D. Fylde rallied and began to find their feet, retaining possession and working well as a team. Despite numerous chances for both teams, the score line remained at 1-0 to Garstang at half time.
Fylde came out really strong in the second half, winning numerous short corners and had the lion's share of possession, but just couldn't find the back of the net. Fylde goalkeeper Katie Barker made a series of excellent saves with the end to end action to keep Fylde in the game. Despite numerous chances and some excellent hockey, Fylde couldn't equalise and the game finished 1-0 to Garstang.
All L2 photos courtesy of Sarah Skelton @sarahskeltonphoto
Lancaster University Women's 1st 4-1 Fylde Ladies' 3
North Hockey League West Division 3 North
Fylde 3s travelled away, in what could be the last game of the season, to play against a quick and skilful University side.
Lancaster piled on the pressure from the start, making quick work of Fylde’s midfield with short sharp passing plays linking up their midfield and forwards. Lancaster repeatedly pressed Fylde’s attempt to clear the ball, Olivia Merrick and Farrah Druce made some good attempts to run the ball up the wing but unfortunately Lancaster’s double team defending style meant they quickly regained possession. One turn of play resulted in a Lancaster goal, 1-0.
Lancaster maintained consistent pressing play and a poor tackle from left midfield Georgie Hampson led to a short corner which was well defended, however Lancaster had the momentum and the score quickly became 2-0.
A formation change saw Rucky Mahmood and Kath Wholey take to the right of the pitch, both were successful in linking up the defence and midfield to get the ball forward. This created increased possession for Fylde and many chances for forwards Megan Coar, Katie Tinsley and Jess Cole but alas the score remained 2-0 at half time.
With renewed optimism Fylde started out the second half strong with good runs from Jess Cole and Megan Coar which created chances. One such run saw Megan Coar taken to the floor by Lancaster with no attempt to play the ball, penalty stroke awarded. Captain Georgie Hampson stepped up, neatly pocketing the ball in the left hand corner and putting Fylde back into the game at 2-1. Fylde did not give up and continued to press the game with good runs through the middle from Charlotte Thomson, and with Olivia Merrick now playing up front had many chances to score but none made it to the back of the goal.
Unfortunately as Fylde began to tire, Lancaster took advantage and quickly the score became 4-1.
Final score 4 - 1. MOM - Olivia Merrick and Emily Marsh
Fylde Ladies' 4 P-P Rossall 1
Lancashire Central Women's Hockey League Premier Division
Rossall postponed due to Covid issues, so the 4's had a game between themselves, with a few additional players.
Fylde Ladies' 5 1-1 Clitheroe and Blackburn Northern Ladies' 3s
Lancashire Central Women's Hockey League Division 1
It was a pleasant change to see the sun shining at 4pm on Saturday, and the rain stayed away mostly due to the strong winds blowing the clouds swiftly on. The team warmed up with healthy confidence and were excited to hit the pitch and get the match underway. We had a new formation planned strengthening the defence but somehow within the first few minutes of the match Blackburn and Clitheroe slipped a very sneaky goal in past the keeper and we were left wondering how it had happened. Initial confidence was suddenly lost but the team battled on, the defence stood solid even despite Dawn Perruzza being hit hard enough to fall down. The team effectively moved the ball up into the oppositions D but simply couldn’t get the ball across the goal line. Then finally Fiona Quarmby scored an excellent goal bringing us 1-1. With the possibility of a win for both sides renewed, both teams worked hard to score a winning goal. 5 min from full time Blackburn and Clitheroe had seemingly scored but an appeal from Fylde’s captain that the goal has been kicked across the goal line was upheld. The final score was 1-1 another point for Ladies 5th team. MOM Fiona Quarmby for her equalising goal.
Lancaster 3s 0-3 Fylde Ladies' 6
Lancashire Central Women's Hockey League Division 2
Fylde Ladies 6th team journeyed to Lancaster to play their Ladies 3rd team.
As is becoming the norm, Fylde rushed out and quickly took possession following Lancaster's push back. Lancaster fought back and found themselves heading towards our goal but a raised ball into the D stopped them in their tracks and Fylde quickly turned it around with a fast paced run to the opposite end with a great assist from Carly Wilde helping Hollie Whiteside find the back of the net.
Fylde kept on the attack with good use of the pitch, playing wide and down the sides with Jess Addy and Sophie Finney receiving the ball and quickly getting the passes off to create some great attacks. Carly Wilde worked hard across the front of our attacking D and was soon able to find Jessie Allen who deftly put the ball to the back of the net. Working hard again to get possession, Fylde were quickly able to get the ball back into our attacking D, this time saw Carly make an expert shot on goal herself, bringing the number up to three.
Half time saw a quick team talk from coach Phil Hope and back out we went. Lancaster came back fighting and made some runs towards our D but the defence held strong and soon turned the direction. As Fylde made yet another attack, the rain came, giving us a quick soaking, but on we went, winning a short corner. This was quickly cleared by the very nimble opposition keeper and Lancaster made a run up the field, fortunately Dani Howarth was ready and made her touches count but a stray foot saw Fylde on the receiving end of a short corner, the defenders held strong and soon cleared this. A final attempt from Fylde saw a short corner awarded as the final whistle blew, two quick shots on goal were deftly stopped and the Lancaster defence managed to clear the ball.
Final score Lancaster 3s 0 - 3 Fylde 6s. Player of the Match Carly Wilde.
Fylde Men's 1
no game due to Covid travel restrictions
Fylde Men's 2 2-5 Clitheroe and Blackburn Northern Mens 1s
Friendly
After a strong start to the season Fylde 2nd XI arranged a difficult friendly against opposition from two leagues above. Without their starting forwards from the week prior, Fylde has a youthful side out. A squad of 16 including season debuts for Duke Jones, Hugo Mace and Tim Woodman saw a fast start to the game with Blackburn pressing high and converting from a quick turnover.
Fylde grew into the game with some great counter attacking play from Ryan Nicholls who teed up Simon Holt to deflect one round the keeper to make it 1-1. As Fylde used their experienced bench to make some useful changes, Fylde were on top. Winning a series of short corners with one duly dispatched with a composed finish from Alex Horrocks to go into half time 2-1 up.
After a half-time re-shuffle, Fylde pressed well with Woodman and Holt leading the press well. Fylde had their chances to put he game to bed - notably Nicholls who had a few good chances and Horrocks failing to beat the keeper.
Blackburn used their experience to dominate the latter part of the second half and scored a couple of quick fire goals to take the lead. With the last 10 minutes being played, Fylde pressed for an equaliser and a lapse in concentration the youthful Fylde side got beaten a couple more times.
FT Fylde 2-5 Blackburn & Clitheroe
Fylde Men's 3 2-3 Fylde Men's 4
Friendly
After more league postponements due to Covid (both travel restrictions and opposition isolation), the 3’s and 4’s once again played each other in a friendly, with the addition of a number of 1’s players, who were also without a game for the 3rd successive week.
The 4’s opened the scoring through James Oakes who rounded the keeper after a perfect pass to him from Martin Stringfellow, only for Jay Mayne to equalise with a reverse stick shot, so 1-1 at halftime.
The 4’s went ahead in the second half when Rob Jepson managed to nutmeg Danny Taylor, and then 3-1 after a second goal from Oakes. The 3’s pulled one back through Jay Mayne but the 4’s managed to hang on for a 3-2 win.
In the end the score line didn’t matter, it was good for everyone to have a game in an interrupted season, and it was a great experience to play both alongside and against quality 1’s players, especially for the under 16's, namelyLuke Cosgrove, Ollie Greenwood, Oscar Harkins, Luke Hitchen, Connor McClelland and Hugo Loggenberg on debut, none of whom looked phased or out of place.