Fylde coast hockey: Season starting brightly despite torrential rain

Fylde Ladies gave a much-improved display, despite torrential rain throughout their National Conference North hockey match at Doncaster, who came from behind to win 3-1.
It's been a busy start to the season for Fylde Ladies' teamsIt's been a busy start to the season for Fylde Ladies' teams
It's been a busy start to the season for Fylde Ladies' teams
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Hockey's back but ladies' teams make losing start

Fylde’s attacking efforts were rewarded in the final minute of the first quarter, when Natasha Hartley-Smith’s strong ball down the right resulted in a classy goal by Hattie Madden.

An all-action display by player of the match Bo Madden and level-headed captaincy Vicki Rukin enabled Fylde to retain their lead until the final quarter, when Doncaster scored three times in as many minutes.

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A new-look Fylde 2 played their first away game in North Two West and lost 3-2 to the Didsbury Greys’ first team .

Having conceded early, Fylde worked very hard and equalised before half-time with a straight drive from the top of the D by debutant Hannah Callagher.

Didsbury regained the lead but Fylde’s pressure was rewarded with a second equaliser, a fine team move started by Emily Marsh and finished by Emma Savidge, another debutant. But they couldn’t pull level for a third time after the Greys scored again from a short corner.

Fylde 3 achieved their first win in division three north west, 2-0 against promoted Pendle Forest 2. Olivia Merrick scored a rebound from a penalty corner and victory was sealed when Jess Cole looped a shot over the keeper and Megan Coar finished off.

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Fylde 4 lost their Lancashire Central premier division opener 3-0 away to Windermere’s first team but played well and Abigail Johnson shone in defence.

Fylde 5 braved Storm Alex to start their division one season with a 1-0 home defeat by Fulwood. Victoria Latham was player of the match and Anya Jackson made some great saves for Fylde.

Fylde 6 were 7-1 winners away to Brookfields 2 in division two. An early goal settled Fylde, who led 3-1 at half-time. Lilly Jones, Georgia Nicholls and Sofia McGhie all scored twice, with Holly Whiteside on target too.

Fylde Men must wait another week for their West Two season to get under way after the Covid situation on Merseyside prevented University of Liverpool from travelling.

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Fylde 2 started a new era under captains Alex Horrocks and Ben Mortimer with a 10-1 derby win away to Preston 4 in North West two north. Phil Hope opened the scoring only for the hosts to equalise via an own goal.

It was 5-1 by half-time as Luca Sempers found the top corner, Sadler shot between the keeper’s legs, Dylan Joran slotted over the keeper and Sadler netted his second.

Chris Walker scored next, then Sadler completed his hat-trick. Tom Davidson scored the eighth and there was still time for Walker’s second and a fourth for Sadler. Harry Gordon was outstanding at right-half.

Fylde 3 beat their fourth team 6-3 in a friendly arranged after the cancellation of games against Keswick.

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Lytham St Annes Ladies are still seeking their first point in North One after a 1-0 home defeat by Brooklands Poynton 2.

LSA started brightly at AKS as they defended with discipline, rotated players slickly, kept possession well and created chances.

However, Brooklands scored the only goal from a free hit into the D in the second half.

Georgia Perkins was player of the match in an encouraging team display.

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LSA 3 began their Lancashire Central division two campaign with a 3-0 win over their Lancaster counterparts in atrocious conditions at AKS.

Frankie Thomas’ shot was turned in for an own goal, then Freya Gerrard dispossessed a defender to double the lead by half-time.

Thomas added a third and Keziah Edgar was outstanding.

Also at AKS, LSA Men started their West three season with a 5-0 defeat by Bowden 3.

The visitors were quick out of the blocks and pressed hard, opening the scoring with a deflected finish.

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Two more quickfire goals, including a penalty flick, put Bowden in the driving seat at 3-0.

Lytham began to look more threatening after some positional changes, with Cal Duffy and Tom Atkinson linking up well down the right at the start of the second half.

But the hosts couldn't take their chances and conceded twice more as they pushed forward, though there were positives for Lytham to work on.

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