Hat-trick hero helps fire AFC Fylde Women to silverware
AFC Fylde Women were crowned Lancashire FA Women’s Senior County Cup champions after running out 4-2 winners over Wythenshawe Women on Thursday.
A Lois Moore hat-trick and a Hollie Kelsh-Ridge screamer proved the difference at the County Ground, where Fylde earned their first piece of silverware this season.
Fylde started off on the front foot and took a deserved lead after 25 minutes, when Moore’s corner crept in at the near post.
Wythenshawe had a handful of opportunities to equalise, dragging a couple of efforts wide, as Fylde held their own against higher league opposition.
However, Fylde went close to scoring again 10 minutes after Moore’s opener as Ocean Flanagan’s long-range effort came crashing back off the crossbar.
They weren’t to be denied five minutes before the break as Flanagan and Kelsh-Ridge combined before Moore fired in her second of the evening.
Wythenshawe looked to apply pressure in the early stages of the second half and pulled one back with a little more than 25 minutes left, sending a stunning effort from distance into the top corner.
Fylde reacted in the perfect manner when, after Moore was brought down on the edge of the area, she found the top corner with a curling effort from the resulting free-kick.
Kelsh-Ridge then put the icing on the cake by scoring the fourth goal, working the ball onto her left foot and wrapping it past the keeper to all but seal the victory.
Although Wythenshawe managed a consolation with a late second goal, Fylde’s players proved too strong and were deserved cup winners on the night.