Fylde 1 2-1 Durham University 2
Vitality Women's Conference North Fylde Ladies 1st team kicked off their 2022-23 league campaign against Durham Uni at Mill Farm.
Fielding a full squad, with the exception of injured centre back Lucy Woods, Fylde had a strong side out and were looking to repeat the dominant performance away at Durham at the end of last season, which resulted in a 2-0 win for Fylde.
Fylde got off to a good start, having most possession in the first quarter but unable to turn it into goal. The second quarter brought more success, a lovely move down the left through Hannah Cook and Flor Zappulla resulted in a back post tap in for the perfectly positioned Hattie Madden. 1-0 Fylde.
Durham struggled to create anything with the energetic Fylde team high pressing and breaking down any attempt for them to play with immediate pressure on the ball. Some questionable umpiring resulted in a penalty stroke being awarded to Durham in one of the few times they managed to penetrate the Fylde circle. The stroke was converted to tie the game up 1-1.
Fylde responded immediately and it was only a matter of minutes before another dangerous move down the left resulted in Hannah Cook scoring to make it 2-1. Durham couldn't match the energy and pace of the Fylde girls, who saw the game out with little threat from Durham.
A great team performance from Fylde to start the season off with a convincing 2-1 win. Player of the match went to Izzy Milbourn for some excellent distribution skills from the back.
Alderley Edge 2 1-2 Fylde 2
North West Women's Division 1
The start of the season was underway,
Off to Alderley Edge, we went to play,
A sunny day and all were ready,
We passed and moved and took it steady.
Great teamwork was shown,
Whilst AE were tired they moaned,
We passed the ball with a few transfers in,
We were so determined to get the win.
We upped the pace and outcomes in the D,
Oh how we knew we’d fight till it was be,
A scrappy D forced us to be patient by all,
An AE card was given so their team took a fall.
Into the D a shot was taken quickly,
A save and clear turned the stomach’s sickly,
The midfield and forwards worked from stick to stick,
An amazing hit from Beth, so quick!
Composure by our defence whilst some pressure was given,
We had to hold to stop the division,
A ball got through and an overload they created,
The goal was scored and the score was stated.
We did not fail to bounce back with possession and skill,
We fought till the end, adding that mighty thrill,
Lisa, Sally and Dawn were disciplined too,
A ball was sent into the D and made it though.
Beth struck the ball again from the close angle,
The defenders all looked mixed up in a tangle,
We lead with 2 and held them strong,
Everyone remained focused and did nothing wrong.
As we start the new season, the game was great and fun,
We go again as a team next Saturday in the sun.
Fylde 3 4-2 South Lakes 1
North West Women's Division 2 North Fylde Ladies 3’s played their first match of the league against South Lakes 1’s - who demonstrated their strength and experience from the very start of the match. The game was off to a quick and intense start with 3 short corners in just 3 minutes, however no goals were conceded by either side.
The newly formed young Fylde side managed found their groove and broke through in the 16th minute with Grace Tomlinson scoring a well-placed goal after a cross from Lali Atherton.
The away team managed to get through the skilful Fylde defensive line, equalling the score. After the first goal concession Fylde seemed to have a lapse in concentration and conceded a second one less than 2 minutes later.
However, Fylde continued to attack and dominated the rest of the first half, with determination to equalise the score Lali Atherton found the back of the net.
Well directed coaching by Martin Stringfellow during half-time ensured that the Fylde side were prepared to go out and win the game.
The defence came back stronger than before, with some great saves from Sarah Hart as well as tactical passing from Lauren Appleyard taking the ball up the length of the pitch. Fylde were awarded many short corners but the defence in the D held tight. Natalie Smith found Grace Tomlinson and manoeuvred herself to put us ahead with a cracking goal. Following this Grace Tomlinson scored a powerful yet balletic goal, giving herself a hat-trick.
Final score of 4:2 to Fylde, a wonderful start to the season.
Fylde 5 1-2 Chorley Phoenix 2
North West Women's Division 4 North (Central) The Ladies 5th team proudly kicked of this year's season with the first match of the day at Mill Farm v Chorley Phoenix 2.
Starting with 10 players wasn’t ideal but the captain asked the team to give it their best and from the first minute they did just that. The team showed grit and determination, chasing every ball and not letting any setback get spirits down.
Chorley scored in the first half and Fylde attacked back fortified by an emergency 11th player. Multiple attempts on goal were thwarted by a strong defence and a strong keeper. Finally Fylde found the back of the net with a goal from captain Debbie McClelland making the half time score 1-1.
Fylde held their own in the second half despite illness and going down to 10 players again. A tired team struggled to get back and in the last 10 minutes of the game Fylde were overrun in the D. Keeper Eva Earnshaw did her best but the opposition switched the ball and their second goal went past Debbie and into the back of the net.
A disappointing loss for Fylde as the score didn’t reflect the hard work the team put into the game. Win as a team lose as a team. Final score Fylde 5 Xl 1 - 2 Chorley Phoenix 2 Xl.
Brookfield 2 1-3 Fylde 6
North West Women's Division 5 North (Central) A new season for the 6ths always means introducing new members from our junior section to the senior game. We started out against an experienced Brookfields side with only 9 Fylde players. Brookfields took advantage of our slimmer side and managed to find their way past Eva Earnshaw to score the first goal despite good energy from Fylde. After 10 minutes, we were very grateful when the cavalry turned up in the guise of 3 forwards, Rosie Leil, Charlotte Lavin and Eve Clarkson. Their impact was felt instantly, the new team got into their stride and were rewarded with a goal from Charlotte Lavin. Continued efforts from the mids and halves helped drive Fylde up the pitch. Charlotte secured a second goal as the result of a short corner before half time. Brookfields came out fighting for the second half and Fylde showed their defensive strength. In addition to some strong saves from Eva Earnshaw, Tiana Moseley used her experience to support Grace Lord on her debut and keep our structure at the back. Adjusting to the new team positions meant a lot of running around trying to get it right! While Brookfields continued at maximum effort, we responded in kind and Kelly Wiseman made the most of a break from the back to carry the ball into the circle and send a well placed pass to Jessica Jennings who was poised on the far post to tap in and score our 3rd goal. At the final whistle, the team had every reason to be proud of their determination and performance throughout. A very promising start to the season.
Fylde 1 4-1 Keswick 2
North West Men's Division 3 North
Fylde Men's 1's lost several players from last season, chose to regroup in Division 3, but with new coach Ken Gardiner and new and returning players the future is looking bright, especially after starting their campaign with a convincing win. It was noticeable that there were 4 returning ex-Blackpool players in the squad, having all returned to the area after years living elsewhere.
Fylde started strongly, winning a penalty corner and Steve Whitley poaching a goal. The team went 2-0 up after Gaz Sym provided an aerial with pinpoint accuracy to Adam Ball who controlled it and then could run into the D unopposed, and calmly rounded the keeper and slotted home.
Keswick scored on the break with the Fylde defence losing concentration, but Fylde restored a two-goal lead, after Jay Currey successfully converted a penalty stroke. This had been awarded after a bad foul on Adam Ball within the D.
Fylde dominated possession in the second half, aided by having a larger squad and better fitness to Keswick, but only one more goal was scored, a slightly scrappy affair with Jack Boniface taking the honours in front of two of his older brothers watching on from the stand.
Lytham St Annes 2 1-3 Fylde 2
North West Men's Division 4 North The bulk of last year's Men's 3's make up this year's Men's 2's, with a familiar mix of experienced (but aging) defensive unit and an inexperienced (but talented and young) attack and midfield. The first goal for Fylde was a masterclass in passing play, from Henry Allison on the left wing evading defenders and crossing to Oli Adewale on the right wing inside the D, who passed back to Bertie Jones in space in front of goal, who calmly slotted the ball home. Lytham exerted their own pressure and snatched a goal from a short corner, before Fylde retook the lead when a ball came to Oli Adewale at the top of the D who put away a speculative shot, which helped to elude the goalkeeper after a slight deflection from a defender. Fylde took their 2-1 lead into half-time, thanks to a goal-line clearance from Andy Lund at a short corner. The second half became increasingly open, with numerous Lytham attacks, but the Fylde defence were resolute. Jay Mayne, on his return from injury, was close to scoring when he tried to lob the goalkeeper from an expertly injected cross from Craig Tilley. Fylde were able to relax a little after increasing their lead, with Bertie Jones scoring his second, and held on for a 3-1 win. All the young players had a great game, and Henry Allison was voted the Man of the Match on his league debut aged 13.
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