Extra-time cup agony for Fylde Ladies

A late penalty from Fylde’s Jenna Carroll forced the tie into extra time but Paige Stewart’s 40-yard free-kick settled the tie.

There were few chances created in the early exchanges, but the match sprang to life in the 22nd minute when the hosts were awarded a penalty converted by Leigh Dugmore.

The Coasters struggled to find a way through and their best chance came 10 minutes from time when Beth Stanfield found space out wide and whipped in a dangerous cross for Lagan Makin but her header was held.

Five minutes later and the visitors finally had their equaliser.

West Brom’s Louise Fellows handled in the box and up stepped Carroll to roll the ball into the bottom-left corner.

The scores were level after 90 minutes but West Brom soon regained the lead.

A free-kick from Stewart eluded Brown in the Fylde goal and the ball bobbled into the net.

A mazy run into the box by Baggies’ Abbie Cottam gave Fellows the time and space on the edge of the box, but her low effort was narrowly wide.

Manager Luke Swindlehurst was disappointed that his side were undone by a ‘soft’ goal: “It was disappointing to lose in extra-time as we were on top at that point and our fitness was definitely shining through.

“Gifting them such a soft goal from a long ball into the box gave them something to hold on to and we just couldn’t find an answer.

“We know the areas that need work and we need to make sure we stop these kinds of things happening. Now I’m looking for the confident display that we know we can produce.”

The Coasters are back in league action this weekend when they host Stoke City at Mill Farm.

Fylde Ladies: Brown, Forster, Stanfield, Kennerley, Flint, Makin, Carroll, Swarbrick (Adams 65), Anderton, Forshaw (Wilkes 81), Walker.