Four league reports from Saturday, one from Sunday, and one from Tuesday, some Lancashire Cup updates (L4 and M1 into the next round) and a pre-Christmas L5 league report.
Carlisle 1 0-1 Fylde 2
Fylde's winning goal scored by Keira Tomes, keeping Fylde in 3rd place and just one point off Formby 1's in the second promotion spot in Division 1.
Fylde 3 2-4 Southport 1
After the Christmas break and matches postponed at either side we had a good week of availability for the 3s which lead us to take a squad of 16 players into our home game on Saturday.
The first half started with Sophia Melling pressing high trying our best to push Southport back and into mistakes, this worked well as we could then intercept a lot of the balls and make attacks on goal, unfortunately we couldn’t find the back of the net in the first half. After great hard work from all players Southport managed to put away their first goal from a strike top D. The 3rd team did not let their heads go down as they tried to push the ball up the pitch as much as possible however not long after Southport managed to intercept a hit out which left a 1 on 1 with Sophie Slawson and Southport used this to their advantage to gain their second goal, however multiple amazing saves from Sophie lead to the score line being 2-0 going into half time.
The second half started with Fylde’s heads held high, determined to put away some goals in this half. Not too long after our high press worked well as Charlotte Lavin managed to tap in our first goal after a cross from Issy Gut. This made Fylde work extra hard, using all fresh legs in the subs bench to make an impact in the game. Meanwhile Southport were able to put away another two unfortunate goals, Fylde continued to push them back and definitely saw Southport making more mistakes that we could act on, this was rewarded quickly with another goal from Emily Greenwood. For the rest of the match a great defensive performance from the back 4 enabled us to deny Southport any more chances at goal which resulted in the final score being 4-2 to Southport.
Ulverston 1 2-0 Fylde 3 (Sunday 19th)
Opposed to yesterday, the 3rd team had poor availability on the 4th time trying to play against Ulverston due to the snow before Christmas. Despite this Fylde were really determined to come out with a win today to help them stay out of the relegation zone.
The game started and Ulverston attacked straight away finding an early goal within the first 10 minutes, Fylde kept narrow and holding the press high with many attempts on goal from Emily Greenwood, Issy Gut and Sophia Melling however we just couldn’t find the back of the net.
We went into half time knowing something needed to change to try and get back in the game, Fylde gained many short corners in which we tried different routines but unfortunately weren’t successful. A collision between Liv Hartley-Smith and an Ulverston player resulted in 2 cards being given out and both teams having to play the majority of what was left of the game a player down. Fylde continued to break through and have shots on goal that were just narrowly missed.
Pendle Forest 2 3-2 Fylde 4
The first half saw Pendle Forest take the initiative, and they managed to break the deadlock with a well-taken goal, leaving Fylde trailing 1-0 at the break. Despite having some good spells of possession, Fylde were unable to convert their chances, and Pendle’s defence held firm.
The second half saw Pendle Forest extend their lead with two quick-fire goals, pushing the score to 3-0. Fylde, however, refused to give up and their resilience paid off as they pulled two goals back, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The first Fylde goal was created by Megan Hartley-Smith running the ball through multiple defenders, reaching the baseline and crossing it into the penalty spot, where Lola Cooper tapped it in past the keeper. Then just a few minutes later the second goal came from Camilla Wyles running up the left wing from the half way line all the way into the D, where she did an impressive reverse shot heading towards the bottom corner of the goal. With the support of Abigail Wensley just tapping it in, Fylde made the score 3-2.
With the game nearing its end, Fylde pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Pendle Forest held on to secure the win. A strong second-half performance from Fylde showed plenty of character, but it was ultimately Pendle Forest who finished with the win.
Fylde 5 2-0 Garstang 4
After a complete wipe out last weekend due to cold weather, the 5s were excited to get back on the pitch to play table leaders Garstang, whom we had to concede against at the start of the season. Debbie promised to remember her stick this week when defending short corners and we set up for first push back.
Fylde quickly pulled together as a team, using midfielders Aimee Jennings and Leah Richmond to make progress up the pitch to the forwards. Garstang had experienced defenders and flooded their own circle to protect the goal from Hollie Guthrie and Hollie Twose. Fylde won a short corner which when struck, bounced off a defender and over the goal. A couple more short corners came close but no backboard was found.
Fylde would keep making it to the circle for the ball to be turned around and quickly sent down Fylde’s defensive left where Evie Dunne displayed a solid performance to tackle down the line. Where Garstang used their most experienced player to command the team in the centre of the pitch, Heather Appleyard and Alice Bishop worked hard in defence to provide options to pass back. Debbie McClelland and Megan Eccles were strong at the back, giving Garstang few chances to get a shot away and clearing the circle.
We broke for half time at nil nil but felt we had dominated play. Fylde started strong in the second half, confidence was now embedded and more short corners were won but failed to convert. Gabriella Hopley-Sherratt had a lovely attempt of goal which sadly glanced the post, however a few minutes later Hollie Guthrie sent a lifted ball across the circle where Gabriella neatly tapped it in from the air.
Fylde were elated to have broken the deadlock but this didn’t stop Garstang fighting back. Fylde were slightly exposed in the centre as the midfielders were pulled wide by Garstang’s players which gave some opportunities to get to Fylde’s defence through the middle. To Fylde’s credit, everyone got back to support the defence and a few good saves from Emily Byers kept Fylde in the lead.
Sophie Taylor impressed on her debut showing willingness and adaptability. Aimee Jennings continued to put pressure on Garstang by showing strong individual skills and passing 3 or 4 players at a time even if she did get thrown in the air at one point. Time was starting to run out and Fylde kept up the energy levels, passing well around the back and take chances in the circle. A loose ball was found by Nikki Richmond, who managed to put some height on the ball, to catch a Garstang stick and land in the goal to leave Fylde 2-0 winners.
Another excellence performance by a good mixed team of experience and youth!
Fylde 1 4-0 Leyland & Chorley Devt (Tuesday 14th)
Fylde Men managed to sneak in a game midweek, in between two cancelled weekend games, on their normal Tuesday training night, albeit with no league points at stake playing Leyland & Chorley's Development side.
Despite being the stronger team, Fylde failed to impose themselves until late in the second half, when finally Martin Hayes scored the first goal. Just before the half-time break, Luke Hitchen dribbled into the D, took a reverse stick shot, which rebounded off the post and Oli Adewale was on hand to pounce and score the second goal.
Fylde were much better in the second half, and Fin Taylor scored two superb solo goals, which also earned him a Man of the Match award, leaving Fylde 4-0 winners on the night.
Lancashire Cup Updates
Fylde 4 4-1 Clitheroe Blackburn Northern 2 (Saturday 4th)
Women's Lancashire Cup (Division 3)
Well well well, the Xmas break only had a positive affect on the fiesty 4s for their first game back after the festive period. You would not have guessed that several squad members were missing, sadly including our captain Miss Ellie Hope whom we wish a speedy recovery.
It was a delight to have dependable Megan Eccles covering the back. She saved us with some deceiving plays which I'm sure surprised herself! Lauren Mayor accompanied here whilst showing off her skills, driving right down the middle when B&C allowed and covering higher up when some of us needed the rest. Forever trusty Isla covered our right half whilst showing great support having several runs up to the attacking D, fingers crossed, she might get a goal by then end of the season!! Alys aways available at LH. Her pre-scanning is evidently improving as she worked wonderfully with Sara and Kayt releasing the ball really early yet not afraid to pass back.
Its fair to I* was on the pitch coming away with at least 3 bullseye type bruises and only gave the opposition 2 short corners. That's an improvement so I'm happy with that! Sara proved sensational against probably B&C's best player. Her hassling and tackling against a player who appeared taller and stronger did not phase Sara one iota as she continued to deny her of the ball.
In the 1st half at R mid we had Camilla. I was dubious about this decision being lead to believe Cam sees herself as a striker and only a striker. Cam maturely stepped up to the plate and delivered an extremely attacking dynamic performance in this position. It was amazing to see her surrounded by other white shirts when we "flooded the D" as we could finally keep up with her pace! RF Caroline was always available, vocal and supportive. Although she ploughed up and down the pitch hungry for the goals, it was not to be today.
Hollie at CF managed to convert a strong finish on her goal which I'm adamant was set up from the initiative of our defenders on a free hit. Nevertheless, Hollie had her eyes on the prize securing another goal. L forward we had Kayt, back from the rigmarole efforts of moving house! You wouldn't have guessed she'd been off the pitch for a few weeks. Her first touches were on point, she was another wonderful demonstration of a team player slotting in an abnormal position for her not to mention the running she did on the attack.
The player that can sometimes go forgotten, goalkeeper Emily gets plenty of credit for keeping Fylde in the game. Although a great finishing result, B&C had plenty of attacking opportunities which Emily simply denied (even if she was chatting to an UNMARKED forward for a period of time!!!)
Finally, our super sub, Fran. We'd be lost without you. On't sly, I believe she was grateful not having to strip off and jump on to save our bacon but she sure deserves the credit for being there to cover injuries and provide her excellent coaching words of wisdom on the sidelines. A massive thankyou there.
In the end it was a great 4-1 win to Fylde 4s. A superb team effort but PoM goes to Camilla for her performance in the 1st half an an undeniable hat-trick. Thankyou for being a delight to play with on the pitch ladies. I* really do hope you take comments at half time and the end of the game constructively to enhance your club style of hockey. Happy new year folks, we go again next week!
*Zoe Kirkham
Fylde 5 3-4 Clitheroe Blackburn Northern 3
Women's Lancashire Cup (Division 4)
The Ladies 5's lost narrowly in their Division 4 Cup game on Saturday 4th Jan, despite 2 goals from Hollie Twose and one from captain Nikki Richmond.
Fylde 1 v Preston 7
Men's Lancashire Cup (Division 4)
Preston conceded their 2nd round game to Fylde Men, so they now reach the semi-final stage of the Division 4 competition.
Clitheroe Blackburn Northern 3 6-0 Fylde 5 (Saturday 14th Dec)
When the team gathered it was clearly going to be a brilliant match with the perfect combination of age, experience, skill and determination that was needed against the strong opposition.
As anticipated Clitheroe relied heavily on getting the ball through to a high attacker who hung by the goal. Clitheroe managed a couple of cheeky early goals then DD at the back, Debbie McClelland and Dawn Perruzza were wise to this strategy and communicated well to intercept and deny Clitheroe many opportunities to penetrate the D. When they got past the defence Faye Jackson held the goal strong but despite all efforts Fylde went behind with some well placed goals by Clitheroe.
Grace Lord and Leah Richmond were well positioned and worked brilliantly to move the ball back into Fylde attacking half. Fran Loffler-Thompson held prime position, centre-mid and managed the team well. Despite all these efforts Fylde struggled to penetrate the Clitheroe D and find the net. Clitheroe were strong and started to make some well coordinated attacks down the left but Heather Appleyard had that covered and Emily Byers moved like the wind to support the back line. The first half finished with a score 3-0
The second half was a different game and Fylde started to make more opportunities when attacking, finding Gabrielle Hopley-Sherratt on the left and making numerous strong crosses. The Clitheroe defence holding strong and Hollie Whiteside and Kayt Rayner were unable to finish. Clitheroe’s counter attacks were constant and 2 more goals found their way into the net.
The final goal for Clitheroe was disappointing, the ball had blatantly hit the feet of a Fylde player who confessed, it bounced off those feet onto feet of a second Fylde player who also confessed. The ball was in free play and everyone, the opposition included, had stopped, the umpire then shouted play on so a Clitheroe player pushed it into the net. All in all despite the disappointing score this squad of 11 held strong and determined for 70 minutes giving everything they had.
Final score 6-0. Man of the match Emily Byers who despite being a goal keeper, normally standing in one place, was everywhere today, literally with an endless supply of energy and some fancy 3D skills as well.
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