Fylde Ladies' boss ready for big homecoming

Fylde Ladies manager Conrad Prendergast takes charge of his first home game on Sunday, when the Coasters face Nottingham Forest (2pm).
Charlotte FarrellCharlotte Farrell
Charlotte Farrell

The new boss earned his first point at the helm last time out with a 2-2 draw at Huddersfield Town.

Prendergast suffered a 1-0 defeat to table-toppers Blackburn in his first match and is expecting another tough test against in-form Forest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “They’re always going to put in a good shift, especially here at Mill Farm. These surroundings are bound to give teams a lift.

“We’re not going to be complacent against any team and I don’t think Forest’s position in the table really reflects how good they are.

“I have mixed emotions about my first two games. The defeat against Blackburn saw us produce a near-perfect defensive display, with just one lapse in concentration, but that wasn’t the case against Huddersfield and we conceded two sloppy goals.

“However, during both games the players demonstrated a real desire to continue battling and working hard, even when things weren’t going their way.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“On Sunday we have to bring all of these qualities together and pose the attacking threat that saw us score two great goals last time out.”

It is almost three weeks since Fylde’s last competitive fixture but Prendergast said: “In training we’ve been raising the intensity levels to keep the players on their toes and make sure they work as hard as they would in a game.

“Due to the long gaps in the fixture list, we wanted a friendly and I’m really pleased we secured a game against Liverpool’s first team this week. It was an opportunity to test ourselves against top opposition and get 90 minutes.”

Winger Danielle Young returns on Sunday after suspension and Prendergast said: “She’s a true professional and knows what is needed to kick on to that next level.”

Fylde have also been boosted by the return after injury of club captain Charlotte Farrell, who had been sidelined since early October.