Cannock 0-1 Fylde 1XI
Investec Women's England Hockey League North Conference
On Saturday 1st February, Fylde Ladies 1s resumed their Investec Women’s Hockey League Conference North campaign with a fixture against fellow strugglers Cannock.
Having won their previous 2 matches, Christmas seemed to come at the wrong time for the Coasters who struggled to settle into a tough, tense affair in the Midlands. As expected, Cannock were a very tough side to break down, with a resolute defence and a dangerous counter attack. A nervy first quarter was managed, and after some tactical changes at quarter time Fylde began to get a bit more of a foothold in the game.
It wasn’t until after the Half Time interval however, when a Fylde attack was slotted past the defiant Cannock GK. A strong receive and carry from Captain Sophia Crawshay opened up some space at the top of the circle, which she used to slot the ball into the bottom left corner. As the game grew older, Fylde began to manage the game, showing much developed experience gained throughout the season, even coping with having a 2 man defect for a short while. The final whistle resulted in some great celebrations from the side, who now see themselves move up to 5th in the league table.
The girls have worked incredibly hard over the mid-season break to ensure we were in the best condition possible for the business end of the season. We rode out a tough first quarter and showed great resilience, applying a range of defensive systems to keep our third clean sheet in succession. We must now take the learnings from this game to secure points from our upcoming fixtures.
Tom Little Coach
SAT: Fylde 2XI 1-1 Liverpool Sefton 2XI
SUN: Fylde 2XI 0-2 Longridge 1XI
North Hockey League West Division 2
Fylde Ladies 2's had two home games over the weekend, drawing the first 1-1 against Liverpool Sefton 2's with a goal by Lucy Barrow and ending a run of three league defeats in a row, and then battled hard against the league leaders Longridge to ultimately lose 2-0.
Liverpool Sefton 3XI 3-0 Fylde 3XI
North Hockey League West Division 3 North
A very young Fylde team travelled to Liverpool to play a tough Liverpool team. The game was largely even between the circles but was decided by Liverpool’s greater guile in both defending their own circle and converting chances in Fylde’s. Fylde hit the post and missed some clear opportunities through the speed of Izzy Harkins, Jess Cole and Emma Savidge, but at the other end Liverpool converted the chances that came their way to run out 3-0 winners.
Fylde 4XI 3-2 Lancaster Nomads
Lancashire Central Women's Hockey League - Division 1
Ladies 4’s finally get to play at home after a bout of away matches! Unfortunately very strong winds persisted throughout the match! After a defeat away against Lancaster Nomads and promotion in their sights, the Ladies 4’s had everything to prove. They started strong and dominated the first half, fending off quick breaks through the middle from the opposition. A first half goal from Rachel Lees put Fylde in front. Izzy Slater made some amazing saves to keep the first half a clean sheet for Fylde.
In the second half, Olivia Merrick scored another goal, but the opposition had a very fast forward and Fylde’s defence were running against the wind and they managed a goal. Olivia Merrick quickly added another, then Nomads scored another. With five minutes left, Fylde held onto their lead, defending heroically and pushing the ball back to the attackers who kept the goalkeeper on her toes. Final score Fylde 3-Lancaster Nomads 2. MoTM Olivia Merrick
Leyland and Chorley 0-2 Fylde 5XI Lancashire Central Women's Hockey League Division 2
Fylde Ladies 5th Team continued their unbeaten post-Christmas run with a clinical 2-0 defeat of Leyland & Chorley 3rds at Buckshaw Village. The venue took a bit of finding for some of the new players and their parents but last minute arrivals and a disjointed match preparation turned to joy on the pitch. Illness reduced Fylde to ten players on Friday, so another promising young player was introduced to senior league hockey for the first time. Holly Whiteside, a nervous 13yr old, was an enthusiastic striker, and slotted in her maiden goal before half time. She had more chances in the second half but was beaten by more experienced defensive players. A second goal from Hannah Doyle sealed the win and the opposition never looked like scoring. Dani Howarth showed some confident touches in goal and Dawn Perruzza was the captain’s Player of the Match for her solid play and enthusiastic support in a team which was new to her this season.
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