3 thrilling score draws along with 3 solid wins for the Fylde teams
Fylde 1 4-4 Durham University 2
Fylde HC and Durham University played out a dramatic 4-4 draw in the penultimate game of the season.
From the outset Fylde showed their dominance and they took the lead early when Nicky Kellet set up Rebecca Worthington. However, Durham responded quickly, drawing level through a well worked penalty corner.
Durham took the lead in the 3rd quarter with a piece of individual skill. Fylde, however, were not to be outdone and after a series of penalty corners they finally equalised with a powerful strike from the top of the circle from Megan Wildish.
Fylde edged ahead again when Worthington got on the end of a loose ball in the circle, but Durham responded immediately, earning a penalty corner and converting it to make it 3-3.
With both teams searching for the decisive goal, it was clear that neither side would give an inch. In the final quarter Fylde thought they had secured all three points when they scored again through a strike from Kellet but Durham had the last word. With just minutes remaining, Durham found the equalizer with another well worked penalty corner.
A disappointing end to the game for Fylde who will look to finish their impressive season off with a win next Saturday at home to Doncaster .
Formby 1 1-1 Fylde 2
Fylde set out to Formby with a team somewhat depleted by injury and illness.
After a shaky first 10 minutes, Fylde began to dominate the opposition. Fylde made some superb link up passes, transferring the ball, keeping possession and waiting patiently for the space to open up and forge forwards in attack. Many chances were created, and short corners won, but Fylde struggled to convert the opportunities presented. The Formby GK had to work hard making many saves to keep them level, whilst Fylde's keeper was left to her own devices for much of the first half.
Entering the second half, Fylde came out strong once again and kept pressurising to try and convert. Finally, a quick turnover and break led to Fylde scoring a much deserved goal. More attacking short corners followed, but still no more goals.
The game was a tough one, with temperatures soaring, but Fylde kept on going. Against the run of play and with less than 30 seconds to go, Formby intercepted a careless pass and stormed into the D, firing off a powerful and successful shot, making the final score 1-1.
Fylde were incredibly disappointed with the final result, which was certainly not reflective of the standard of play delivered by the players who had worked tirelessly all match, showing some superb skill, teamwork and determination. We move into our final game next week looking for the final 3 points of the season.
Fylde 4 3-3 Windermere 1
Fylde hosted Windermere in a thrilling encounter that ended in a 3-3 draw.
The first half saw both teams creating plenty of chances, with end-to-end action throughout. Fylde started strongly, maintaining possession and pushing forward. Just as the teams were nearing the break, Camilla Wyles produced a moment of brilliance. Positioned in the perfect spot, she executed a stunning reverse shot that flew into the bottom corner of the goal, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. This well-timed strike gave Fylde a deserved 1-0 lead heading into the halftime whistle.
The second half, however, proved to be a challenging period for Fylde. Unfortunately, a series of unfortunate events saw them concede three quick goals, putting them at a 3-1 disadvantage.
Despite the setback, Fylde’s resilience remained strong, and they pushed forward in search of a way back into the game. In the 60th minute, Fylde won a crucial short corner, and Olivia Hartley-Smith passed the ball to Ellie Hope at the top of the D, where she took a strike and sent the ball into the bottom corner of the goal, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
Fylde’s momentum continued to build, and just two minutes later, Hollie Guthrie was in the right place at the right time. She received the ball just outside the D, composed herself, and fired a powerful strike that flew past the goalkeeper to level the score at 3-3.
The final minutes of the game were tense, with both teams pushing for a winner, but the scoreline remained unchanged, and the match ended in a well-earned 3-3 draw. A thrilling contest that showcased both individual brilliance and team spirit. While Fylde was disappointed to concede three quick goals in the second half, their comeback demonstrated the heart and resilience of the team.
Brookfield 2 0-3 Fylde 5
Final game of the season for Fylde 5s away at Walton Le Dale. It was warm with rain forecast so Fylde set to work with the first pushback, eager to keep to time so that goalkeeper Emily Byers could rush off to her 4th team game as she had stepped in to ensure the team played with a keeper.
Hollie Bailey started strong as centre forward, offering a tricky challenge for Brookfield’s defenders as she dribbled around them, passing balls to Aimee Jennings and Gabi Holley-Sherratt for chances in the circle. Brookfield drove the ball down their right hand side to good effect until Evie Dunne shut down their attacks with the support of Megan Eccles and Debbie McClelland. Whilst Brookfield were strong in the midfield, Fylde took control with Leah Richmond driving the ball down the right wing, finding Niamh Smith who passed to Gabi Hopley-Sherratt who scored the first goal of the game.
3 subs meant fresh legs for Fylde every ten minutes, delivered by our sideline duo of Richie Hopley and Olivia Hartley-Smith. Dawn Perruzza stepped into defence whilst Tilly Tomlinson and Sadie Atkinson made an impact in the midfield. Another good combination of passing saw Gabi Hopley-Sherratt cross the ball to a perfectly poised Jess Grice who slapped the ball past the keeper to give a two goal lead.
Half time was filled with lots of drinks as the warm temperatures held and the rain was nowhere to be seen. 35 minutes left of the season and Fylde continued with their usual composure and determination. Both teams battled again in the midfield and goalkeeper Emily saw more action in the second half and Brookfield fought for a goal. Multiple attacking lines through Sadie, Tilly, Hollie, Jess and Aimee kept Brookfield’s defence busy and Fylde press was excellent, keeping the ball in their half.
A Fylde penalty corner, saw the ball slipped to Leah Richmond who had a good shot on goal which Brookfield managed to clear. Plenty more shots on goals going wide of the post meant Fylde didn’t score as many as were maybe deserved. But the team pulled together and got back to help support the defence, Brookfield won two short corners which Evie Dunne quickly shut down, not giving the opposition the chance to strike the ball! A 69th minute attack for Aimee Jennings finally landed her a goal which she had been working hard to achieve.
A successful season ending on a win for this strong, disciplined and generally lovely team. Well done 5s!
Fylde 6 Development 6-2 Leyland & Chorley Dev't
Fylde 6/Development played their last match of the season in an early start at Mill Farm against Leyland & Chorley Development. It was a warm day and Fylde were pleased to have a sub on the bench.
The teams were pretty evenly matched with Fylde’s seniors evenly distributed across the pitch supporting fast young players who created many opportunities. Sophia Taylor and Michelle Finney scored a brace each, either side of the half way point, with Carrena Leverton and Leah Richmond adding further goals in the second half.
Leyland & Chorley scored twice in the second half but could not cope with the relentless attacks upon their goal. Leah had three good saves made from her shots before an unfortunate mistake from one of their defenders deflected Leah’s penalty corner shot into the goal (effectively an own goal which is not recognised now so she claims it!)
Youngsters Hattie, Faith & Sophia played extremely well whilst all the adults put in a good shift too! Faye in goals was not at fault for the opposition goals and the team put on a fine display for their regular supporters.
Fylde 6/Development Team finish proudly in 3rd place, behind the two promoted teams, and thank all those who played for them and supported the team throughout the season.
Fylde 1 7-2 Preston 6
Fylde Men’s final home game was against Preston 6’s, and they went into it confident with a full squad and the 5-1 win earlier in the season. Captain Richard Clarke ceremonially took the pushback before subbing himself off (on doctor’s orders), and similarly rear-admiral Jay Mayne received the pass and then also came off the pitch with his operation for a new bionic knee just a week away.
The record crowd, enjoying the sunshine and balmy conditions, were rewarded with the best half of hockey Fylde have played all season and 5 goals. Pity the even bigger crowd who had enjoyed the thrilling 4-4 Ladies 1’s game seemed to have got lost on their way back from their interval drinks.
Oli Adewale was back after fracturing his thumb 4 weeks previously and was instrumental in the first goal by winning a challenge around the edge of the Preston D and then passing the ball to Phil Hope to score with power. Minutes later on-field captain Ollie Holmes found Jack Jones in space in the D with a clinical pass, with Jones then making no mistake for an early 2-0 lead.
Fylde continued to dominate possession and keep Preston trapped in their half of the pitch for long periods. Closely pressing, Tim van Rijn managed to dispossess a Preston defender in front of the D and pass to Phil Hope for a relatively easy goal (but they all count towards being top scorer).
Luke Hitchen made many attacks from midfield, striking from angles, winning short corners, and even selflessly passing to his dad and top scorer rival, Phil Hope, for a better chance of scoring (although Phil mucked up that particular chance). From one of these short corners, the ball was injected directly to Ollie Holmes at the top of the D who blasted a strike powerfully into the near corner of the goal to make it 4-0.
Before the break, Jack Jones attacked from the right corner and then pulled the ball back to Phil Hope who shot sweetly for his hat-trick and a 5-0 halftime scoreline.
Fylde continued to attack in the second half and won another short corner. Luke Hitchen injected on the short side to Charlie Oliver who passed it back, for Luke to dribble towards the D and try and flick the ball past the goalkeeper. It was initially saved but Jack Jones was on hand to knock the ball into the goal. [captured on video]
Fylde continued to rotate their 3 subs, and Fylde’s structure started to fall apart, with everyone wanting to attack and help score more goals. This led to several Preston counter-attacks, and they managed to score from one. It didn’t take long for Fylde to score again with a long pass from Luke Hitchen in midfield found Ollie Holmes in full flight running towards the D, which he entered and took a strike from the right with pinpoint accuracy, 7-1.
The game ended a bit scrappily with Preston winning a last minute short corner which they managed to convert for a final score of 7-2.
It was a real team performance from Fylde, and despite the more sloppy second half, they can be very proud of their first half play. The man of the match voting was tight with Phil Hope and his hat-trick going close, along with Oli Adewale on his return from injury, but the vote went to Charlie Oliver for his attacking play down the right wing.
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