Paul Thomson's debut goal inspires the Men to victory.
Alderley Edge 1 3-2 Fylde 1
Fylde made an impressive start to the match, taking the lead within the first five minutes with a goal from Jess Wharton. Their momentum continued as Megan Wildish slotted in a well-timed ball following some great build-up play down the right wing to make it 2-0.
However, Alderley Edge fought back fiercely in the second quarter, scoring two quick goals to level the game. They completed their turnaround just before halftime, adding a third to lead 3-2.
In the second half, Fylde fought hard to regain control and increased their intensity, but despite creating several chances, Alderley Edge's resolute defence kept them at bay. The game ended 3-2 in favour of Alderley Edge, snapping Fylde's eight-game winning streak.
Despite the disappointment, Fylde’s effort and skill were evident throughout the match, with Rosie Atkinson and Lucy Wane receiving the well-deserved Man of the Match award for their tireless work across the pitch and their involvement in key passages of play.
Fylde will regroup and focus on preparing for their upcoming home match against Bowden next week.
Didsbury Greys 1 1-0 Fylde 2
A disappointing loss away from home means Fylde 2's are now down to 4th and 4pts under the promotion places.
Chorley Phoenix 1 2-1 Fylde 3
Fylde started this match in fine, sunny conditions, a little slowly and Chorley Phoenix for the first 20 minutes were first to most loose balls.
After 3 minutes Chorley scored their first and after 10 minutes Fylde found themselves 2-0 down. Fylde continued to defend their goal and managed to produce a few runs into the D from Rosie Leil and Sophia Melling but unfortunately didn’t hit the back of the goal. However, for the latter part of the first half Fylde held their own and managed to get to half time with the score still 2-0.In the 2nd half Fylde were much improved and really came back fighting. Ten minutes into the 2nd half Sophia scored a great goal from a strike on the top of the D straight into the far corner of the goal and an equalizer then seemed inevitable.
Natalie Smith continued to move the ball around the pitch with her amazing 3D skills whist Sophie Slawson made some great saves in goal throughout the match. However, despite numerous short corners, great runs down the left wing by Abbie Warburton and some great defending, marshalled by Kelly Windows returning for her first match since October, the score stayed at 2-1.
Player of the match this week was shared between Abbie Warburton and Sophia Melling who both continued to give their best performances.
Clitheroe Blackburn Northern 2 1-1 Fylde 4
It was a tough encounter at the Westholme ground as Fylde faced Clitheroe and Blackburn in a highly anticipated match. The game kicked off with both teams showing intent, eager to break the deadlock.
The first half saw strong attacking moves from both sides, but neither team could get the upper hand. The defences stood firm, with goalkeepers making key saves and defenders clearing the danger, ensuring the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
As the second half got underway, the intensity picked up, and Fylde’s determination to break through finally paid off. A well-worked short corner, which had been practiced in training, was awarded. The Fylde players executed the routine perfectly—pass to the top of the circle, back to the baseline and a quick slip to Olivia Windows on the penalty spot, and she calmly tapped the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to give Fylde the lead.
However, just five minutes later, Clitheroe and Blackburn responded in with a goal from a short corner to level the score at 1-1. Both teams continued to fight hard for a winner, but in the end, the match ended all square at 1-1.
It was a frustrating result for Fylde after taking the lead, but they’ll take plenty of positives from their performance, especially the way their short corner routine came to life after practice.
Lancaster 3 0-5 Fylde 6 Development
Fylde 6th/Development team were the only ladies winners on Saturday and managed to keep a clean sheet with eleven outfield players and no goal keeper!
They played a newly formed Lancaster 3’s team who had struggled to field a side at the start of the season. A youthful and experienced Fylde team dominated the young Lancaster opposition who attacked at speed in swarms without success. Faith McGillivray and Lauren helped to keep them at bay!
Gabi Hopley-Sharratt opened and closed the scoring with good strikes from the left and centre. Hattie Tollerson struck a fierce blow of her own, copied later by Leah Richmond, who was also unfortunate in mistiming a penalty stroke. A rare occurrence at our level but she was brave enough to step up under the pressure. Jess Grice was the other goalscorer as she played a good game in the midfield.
Adult players Julie and Alice ran themselves to the ground as Heather and Debbie enjoyed swapping positions for cameo performances, whilst Fran enjoyed holding the fort at the back with the odd touch or two!
It was a very enjoyable game for everyone, with no stressful substitutions to worry about and three happy supporters also enjoying their afternoon in the rare sun!
Fylde 1 5-3 Kendal 2
Fylde Men hosted Kendal 2’s and were determined to make amends for the 2-2 draw earlier in the season which they felt they should have won. With several of the younger team members still on half-term holiday, some older experienced heads were drafted into the team in Sean Lester and Alan Simpson.
The attacking midfield trio of Luke Hitchen, Fin Taylor and Joel Baines were all playing together for the second successive game and were threatening all game. However it seemed to take a long time before the first goal game, with many an attack trying to dribble through one too many defender. With shouts of “win something” as Fin Taylor went on another attacking dribble and entered the D on the right, instead of finding a foot to win a short corner, he blasted a shot away, and when the backboard thunk was heard there were cheers all around.
Kendal managed to equalise when a striker disposed a defender near the corner flag, was able to enter the D and put a shot away, which beat Craig Nutter at the near post. Kendal then had a spell of their own possession and won several short corners, one of which went in, to take a 2-1 lead into half-time.
After a stern talking to, Fylde returned for the second half with extra determination, although were down to a straight 11 after Oli Adewale had been struck on the hand in the first half, and has subsequently been diagnosed with a fractured thumb.
Fin Taylor then showed off his skills with two solo goals in five minutes that are unlikely to be bettered this season. On both occasions he started off near the halfway line, used his pace and skill to run past or evade tackles, and then fire off two superb strikes just inside the D.
Suddenly Fylde were 3-2 up and dominating, however Kendal came back with some dangerous counter-attacks and won a series of short corners. One direct hit struck runner Sean Lester on the foot, the next corner’s strike hit runner Phil Weir on the shinpad, and then they scored from the subsequent corner with a slip and a hit at the near post, too firm for Pete Latimer to stop with his stick, making the score 3-3.
Tension was rising, and with another Kendal attack down the right wing, Sean Lester was given a green card for a poor tackle, or as one member of the team put it afterwards “Sean bodied a child and got a green”. Another short corner was won by Kendal and the striker at the top moved slightly to his right and then struck across goal to the near post, where Ollie Holmes was able to make an initial stop with his stick, for the ball to then fall to the floor, and to the Kendal players it looked like it had hit his foot but Mr Holmes was able to take the ball out of the D, through midfield, then pass to the forwards and actually Fylde were awarded a short corner of their own, although didn’t score from it.
With the match on a knife-edge, and time running out, something special was needed. Paul Thomson had been galloping up and down the right wing all game, and in front of the home stand (and wife) he went on another rampaging attack with the ball, had a 1-2 with Alan Simpson towards the right corner, then passed to Joel Baines inside the D, who let off a shot. This was saved by the keeper, but only cleared to the centre of the D. Paul had continued his run, like any good player should, and found himself in the perfect position able to have a shot on goal, although this is virgin territory for Paul unaccustomed to attacking inside a D. However, he closed his eyes and prayed, swung his stick in the direction of the ball, and struck with power and accuracy giving the keeper no chance. Goal! Paul jumped and squealed in excitement, and gave high fives to all his team-mates whilst running back for the restart. Some defenders take years before they manage a single goal, but Paul's managed it in his first season of competitive hockey, what an achievement!
This was the hammer blow for Kendal, they never recovered, and a late penalty corner for Fylde was converted when Luke Hitchen cheekily passed back to the injector Joel Baines at the near post, who found a gap into the goal.
Final score 5-3 and contentment for the Fylde team on coming back from being behind at half-time. Despite Paul Thomson’s first ever goal and inspiring performance, he was pipped to the Man of the Match vote by Fin Taylor’s epic hat-trick of solo goals.
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