An historic triple mother-daughter line-up for the Ladies 6's, the Ladies 5's game abandoned due to hail, and several key wins for the other teams in action.
Fylde 2 2-1 Preston 1
On a cold Saturday, with lingering clouds from storm Eowyn threatening rain, the Ladies’ 2 squad delivered another exciting win at home against Preston, making up for their early away defeat against the same team.
Fylde got off to a confident start with most of the first 5 minutes spend in Preston’s half. Grace Tomlinson provided Fylde’s first shot at goal 8 minutes into the game, but it went wide. Preston immediately respond with a break into Fylde’s half, but Fylde’s defence regain possession and return the ball to Preston’s half for Grace to take another shot at goal. Another miss for Fylde. Again Preston break through Fylde’s defence and this time they take their first shot at the Fylde goal. Fortunately, it doesn’t get past Fylde’s goalkeeper Michele Longton! Fylde strong in the first 10 minutes, but each team unable to make their shots at goal count.
15 minutes in and Fylde produce a great pass from Grace Tomlison to Sally Livesey to Izzy Mahon into Preston’s D, but another missed opportunity for Fylde. Short corner to Fylde 19 minutes into the first half. Grace to Dawn Child and Fylde secure their first goal of the game. Another short corner 3 minutes later. This time Holly Farquharson to Grace Tomlinson and Fylde have their second goal of the game. Fylde now settling into the game with a well-deserved 2-goal lead.
30 minutes and Ruby Gosgrove passes to Izzy Mahon who passes to Keira Tomes for a shot at the Preston goal. It goes wide. One minute later, Fylde have a short corner opportunity and Grace shoots for the Preston goal. Again no addition to the Fylde score. Nevertheless, the pressure is definitely on Preston.
Just before the half time whistle, Sally Livesey delivers a powerful shot down the side of the pitch nearest the stands. She lunges forwards, loses balance and treats the spectators to a beguilingly elegant forward role and returns to her feet, stick ready in hand. Awesome!
Half-time whistle blows. Fylde 2 – Preston 0. Fylde could have had more goals, but are happy to be ahead at this point.
The second half starts with Fylde determined to extend their 2-goal advantage. A Fylde miss in the first minute of the second half is rewarded with a short corner. Sadly, it is another miss. Ruby Cosgrove hits a powerful shot at Preston’s goal, only to hit the post. This is followed shortly by a second attempt at goal by Keira Tomes. Again, a miss! However, the pressure is on Preston and it seems as though it is only a matter of time before Fylde score again.
Sally Livesey, no doubt emboldened by her first half acrobatic performance, shoots another long ball down the side, stumbles forward, but is unable to repeat her superb first-half forward role. Nevertheless, she’s up on her feet again, unscathed and at the ready.
10 minutes into the second half and Izzy Malyon shots at Preston goal. But the ball just doesn’t want to go in for Fylde. Preston respond immediately with a break into Fylde’s half, the first time in the second half they made it this far. Sophia Murray, Jayne Wilson and Olivia John-Haslam block Preston’s advance and play returns to Preston’s half.
5 minutes later, Fylde take a long corner shot, Grace Tomlinson to Dawn Child, but again Fylde’s attempt misses Preston’s goal. 3 minutes later Emma Savidge takes the ball into Preston’s D, passes to Grace Tomlinson, but no goal. Fylde with the majority of possession, but still unable to secure a third goal. Frustration for the players and spectators alike.
Mid-way through the second half, Preston make a rare intrusion into Fylde’s half and into their D. They are unable to capitalise to on their efforts. Even though Fylde are dominant and unrelenting in their attaching play, ever threatening a defensive Preston team, the score stubbornly remains Fylde 2, Preston 0.
Last 10 minutes of the game. Another short corner opportunity missed by Fylde. Preston are determined not to leave Mill Farm without a goal. They press forward their attack into Fylde territory and secure a short corner. They shoot; Michele Longton saves it. However, a minute later, Preston have yet another short corner. They shoot again, but Sophia Murray blocks the shot. Shortly after Preston are in Fylde’s D again. Pressure now on Fylde to defend their lead. Sophia Murray takes a Preston stick to the nose. No serious injury thankfully.
5 minutes to the final whistle and Preston have yet another short corner opportunity. They shoot, but the strong Fylde defence denies them a score and drives back into Preston’s half.
Last minute of the game, Preston in Fylde’s D and another fine save by Michele. She hits the ball out, but Preston hit it back in high towards Fylde’s goal. Fortunately, Holly Farquharson is there to knock it down and out. Now, in the dying seconds of the game, Preston take the ball and shoot again. This time they do not miss. They secure their first goal of the match.
Final whistle. Fylde Ladies 2 win by two goals to Preston’s one.
A big call-out Sally whose on-pitch acrobatics left everyone in awe. A huge thank you to Preston for being fantastic opponents and for providing an exciting 70 minutes of hockey. And of course, thank you to our Fylde Fans for their vocal support from the stands.
Another convincing performance from a strong Fylde team that enjoys playing together and continues to go from strength to strength. Every player contributed fully to deliver another exciting performance for their very vocal supporters. Fylde Ladies 2’s strong performance today help them maintain their strong position in the league.
Kirkby Lonsdale 1 0-1 Fylde 3
Fylde travelled to Kirkby Lonsdale on Saturday, thankfully the storm didn’t disrupt the match, in fact it was the best weather we’ve had in a while for our match. We had a team talk and a positive warm up ready for the game, the 3's know they need to start winning some matches and took this onboard for today's match, although we knew it would be tough playing against 4th in the league.
The first half started, Fylde had an outstanding press which allowed to us to intercept the ball on numerous occasions from Abi Weasley and Issy Gut. The defence did the basics, passed round the back, up the line and kept calm on the ball and pushed up the pitch to help press the ball in our attacking half. Fylde could tell they were playing differently this week, they were motivated and playing good hockey. This was supported by a tap in goal from Abi Wensley towards the end of the first half. This goal is what Fylde needed to keep their heads high going into the half time talk.
Coach Jay Currey gave the girls a very positive half time talk, where Fylde didn’t have to change much in their way of play but just needed to keep doing what we were doing.
The second half began with Fylde driving towards Kirby Lonsdale putting them under pressure as Abbie Warburton found a foot in the D within the first two minutes which gave us a short corner, This game was filled with short corners which we don’t usually see. Every time Abbie Southern, Liz Johnson, Natalie Smith and Abbie Warburton worked to try and slot the ball in the back of the net which unfortunately didn’t happen but came extremely close several times which was reassuring as we were trying new routines with new people, we definitely know to keep practising and hope to score more goals in coming weeks. The game ended with Fylde coming out on top 1-0 which left the 3's celebrating their win with a sigh of relief.
MoM goes to Abi Wensley who had an amazing performance all game!
Fylde 4 1-1 Preston 2
Fylde showed incredible resilience in a high-stakes clash against Preston, securing a hard earned 1-1 draw thanks to a last minute equaliser. With relentless effort from the entire team, the match proved to be a thrilling display of determination and teamwork.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both sides battling to find an edge. Fylde’s defence, led by Olivia, Alys, Zoe, Nikki and Isla, worked tirelessly to shut down Preston’s attacking threats, ensuring goalkeeper Emily B was rarely troubled. The midfield players, Ellie, Megan, Sara and Emily F worked hard to control the centre of the pitch, whilst forwards Sophia, Hollie and Lola pressed high in search of an early goal. Despite several promising chances for Fylde, the scoreline remained 0-0 at halftime.
The second half began with renewed intensity from Preston, who managed to capitalise on a counterattack in the 40th minute. A quick break caught Fylde’s defence off guard, and Preston slipped the ball past Emily B to take a 1-0 lead. Despite the setback, Fylde refused to back down. The midfield worked tirelessly to regain control, linking up effectively to feed to the forwards, creating several close chances. As the clock ticked down, Fylde’s determination only grew. With just 5 minutes left to play, a free hit taken by Zoe was bounced around finding its way on to Ellie's stick. No time to think, Ellie took a strike from the top of the D with many defenders around and found the back of the net. The score went to 1-1 followed by the final whistle not long after.
Every player contributed to a thrilling performance and the team will undoubtedly carry this momentum into their next game. Well done girls!
Chorley Phoenix 2 A-A Fylde 5
Fylde 5s travelled to Walton le Dale to face Chorley Phoenix on a cold but calm day after Storm Éowyn battered the country the day before. Chorley Phoenix put out a strong team who attacked with strength and put Fylde to the test. Heavy hail started to rain down which meant a request to change the ball colour so we could actually see it! But the hail only got stronger and soon the pitch lines were obscured and the ball was barely travelling when pushed or hit.
An umpires decision was made to abandon the game at 21 minutes after a break to assess made it clear it wasn’t viable to continue. We await the rearranged game.
Fylde 6 Development 0-2 Garstang Development
Club History was made on a cold Saturday after sun set as Fylde 6th/Development Team hosted Garstang Development in a 2-0 loss.
The defeat did not matter because Fylde, in the true Spirit of the Game, fielded three sets of mothers and children for the first time. Heather Appleyard with daughter Lauren, umpiring, fresh from their successful Ladies’ 3’s trip to Kirkby Lonsdale. Clare Taylor with her daughter Sophia, and Michelle Finney with her daughter Emily.
Fylde also gave a debut game to Carenna Leverton, who recently returned to hockey after a long break, whilst also welcoming Gabi Hopley-Sherratt from her earlier hail-abandoned match!
We had two named Bella on the front line and Jasmine and Alice, now playing outfield following her 21 minutes of goal action in the abandoned match. Freya was steady in goals and Captain on the day Evie Bromley played her best hockey to date!
Fran was proud of her team who played some good hockey at times and matched the well organised Garstang squad in a fairly even game. Thanks go especially to coach Phil who started and ended his day at Mill Farm supporting the club on a grand day out!
Fylde 1 3-1 Lytham St Annes 2
Fylde Men hosted their local rivals Lytham 2’s in the first match of the day at Mill Farm. They were expecting a reasonably easy game given their 3-1 win away earlier in the season, however were very surprised by the 15-strong opposition squad, before discovering that Lytham’s 1st team home game had been cancelled.
Fylde had a perfect start when Luke Hitchin dribbled and scored with a sweet reverse strike in the first five minutes. Fylde passed and moved the ball well, with Tim van Rijn returning to the team 3 months since his last outing, and he set up the second goal, finding Luke Hitchin free in the D to score again.
Lytham strengthened their team with the familiar faces, and started putting some real pressure onto the Fylde defence. Several short corners were defended, and the tension started to rise with some robust challenges and words from both sides. Fylde hung on to take their 2-0 lead into the half-time break.
Fylde knew they had a battle ahead in the second half, and it got harder once Lytham scored with a firm strike that got a deflection inside the D. Just one goal behind, Lytham pressed high and continued with their strongest lineup. However Fylde played as a team and put the effort in to defend and then counter attack, causing Lytham difficulties of their own.
Luke Hitchen completed his hat-trick with ten minutes to go with a superb display of skill, much to Lytham’s disgust, restoring Fylde’s two goal cushion. With only one sub, Fylde could have tired, however every member of the team wanted this win, and one of the older members of the team Paul Thomson was still marauding down the left wing from his full back position in the final minutes.
Final score 3-1 but very deserved and the team’s man of the match went to Luke Hitchen for not only his hat-trick but his play up and down the pitch. The team now find themselves temporarily 2nd in the division, with South Lakes in 3rd with 2 games in hand.
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