A wet day with mixed results and two cancelled games.
Whitley Bay & Tynemouth 1 2-0 Fylde 1
It was back to back away games at the start of the season for Fylde 1st team, with this week's game being away at newly promoted Whitley Bay. It was clear from the whistle Whitley Bay were a well organised and physical team, and despite Fylde having most possession, they struggled to do anything with it and it was Whitley Bay who went 1-0 up in the first half from one well executed penalty corner.
Fylde were even more dominant in the second half, and despite having several penalty corners, nothing seemed to be going their way and they couldn't find the goal they were desperately looking for. Whitley Bay broke away down the other end and won another well converted penalty corner to make it 2-0 with 8 minutes to go.
Despite Fylde piling on the pressure, Whitley Bay defended well and saw the game out as 2-0 winners. Disappointing from Fylde in a game which saw Whitley Bay only have two attempts on goal all game from open play, and 3 penalty corners, two of which resulted in goals. Player of the match went to Nicky Kellett for her excellent work in the forward line. Fylde hope to be more clinical in next week's first home game of the season again Newcastle University.
Fylde 2 4-0 Carlisle 1
Not an ideal start to our match with no keeper, but that didn’t put our determination off. We had a strong team and we were set up perfectly. With a very precise team talk understood by all, we started with fantastic direct play resulting in an early goal mouth scrap beautifully put away by Chelsea Atkinson.
Carlisle were clearly trying to come down the right, but with great positioning from the left side they weren’t successful! We continued to be direct with great movement and fast passing, this saw our forwards have multiple attempts on goal. Megan Wildish drove with intent into the D and had an accurate strike bottom left corner. We were 2-0 up after 5mins. With a keeper now in net and a small restructure we kept our great positioning and press, Fylde kept strong until half time.
The second half saw the same determination and direct play from Fylde, unfortunately the short corners weren’t quite working but the midfield and forwards continued to link perfectly allowing Megan to once again get into the D with a tight angle somehow managed to strike the ball far left post and in.
The match continued in the same manner with Carlisle unable to get past the defence. Another great link up between defence and midfield, saw some amazing individual skill from Ruby Cosgrove driving into the D past the defenders and putting the ball past the keeper. A huge team effort, thanks to Jayne for running the side and all the parents for their support. Deserved 4-0 win!
Southport 1 8-0 Fylde 3
An 8-0 defeat on a showery day on the west coast did not do justice to the sterling efforts of the eleven determined players, representing the Ladies 3rd Team, who fought to the end through every last drop of rain!
The game saw four goals in each half, with multiple saves by Alice Bishop, playing her first game in goals for her new club, and counter attacks from the young Fylde front line being thwarted by experienced defenders. In contrast the Southport attack were a slick scoring machine of skill and experience.
Liz Johnson was voted Player of the Match for her solid midfield defensive performance and the team can only look forward to better days ahead when the squad returns to normal strength, in comparison to today which what was a shadow of their normal side.
Fylde 4 0-1 Pendle Forest 2
The game began with Fylde controlling the early stages of play, pressing high and creating chances. However, despite their dominance in possession, Fylde struggled to break down a well-organised Pendle defence. Despite both teams having opportunities, the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
The second half saw more chances created by Fylde, in which the team won a short corner. Making her debut for Fylde, Caroline Bell stepped forward to take a straight strike from the top of the D which was well defended by Pendle. Fylde’s defence was put to the test multiple times during Pendle’s short corners, but the defence unit held well under pressure. It was a pleasure to see Alys Williams and Evelyn So thriving in women's hockey.
Fylde goalkeeper, Emily Byers, was the standout player of the match. Throughout the game she made a series of exceptional saves, denying Pendle on multiple occasions and keeping her team in the match. Unfortunately, in this hard-fought contest, Fylde fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Pendle at Mill Farm, with a second-half goal proving to be the difference between the two sides. Thank you for everybody's efforts. We go again next week!
Garstang 4 C-C Fylde 5
Unfortunately Fylde had to concede this game due to lack of players for all the early start times, and therefore hand Garstang a 5-0 walkover.
Fylde 6 Development 6-1 Lancaster Nomads 2
The youthful exuberance and joyful celebration of six goals in a fine win for the Fylde 6th/Development Team, was a treat for sore eyes in the last game of a soggy day at Mill Farm.
Five players made their debuts: GK Faye Jackson; Faith McGillivray; Bella Askew, Evie Bromley and Phil Hannock playing outfield rather than her usual goalkeeper role. Young players from higher squads combined with the latest young stars and a sprinkling of older players to defeat a solid and experienced opposition.
1-1 at half time turned into a dominating display of teamwork in the second half. A brace each for Leah Richmond and Aimee Jennings and further goals from Niamh Smith and the ever popular Julie Knowles, sealed the perfect end to a long day of hockey.
Player of the Match was a close affair, reflecting the high standards set by the team, but went to Niamh Smith for her strength in midfield and fine reverse deflected goal.
Fylde 1 C-C Kirkby Lonsdale 2
Kirkby Lonsdale conceded their second game in a row, due to lack of players, and so Fylde Men were awarded a 5-0 walkover, although more disappointed they weren't able to play a game. They look to get back to action next week against local rivals Lytham St Annes 2's.
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