Fylde Hockey Club round-up: New faces help the firsts pick up victory

A Fylde team with four new faces – Nicky Kellett, Rebecca Worthington, Megan Wildish and Olivia Newman Kirk – as well as a first-team debutante, Lucy Wane, dominated from the whistle.

They called the Didsbury keeper into action several times early on before Vicky Rukin converted a penalty corner to put Fylde 1-0 up on nine minutes.

Fylde continued to apply pressure as Kellett and Newman Kirk combined to give Grace McGarvey a shot, which was deflected over the keeper by Worthington to make it 2-0.

Didsbury Northern pulled one back in the second half but Fylde saw out the game to be worthy winners.

North West Women’s Division One saw the seconds beaten 3-0 at Golborne and Prescot.

Fylde fell behind from a short corner but responded well with some short passes and fine tackling.

They began the second half well, creating chances and winning short corners.

However, Prescot then doubled their lead before completing the scoring with their third against a Fylde team which worked hard and battled together.

There was a 3-3 draw for the thirds as they met Clitheroe and Blackburn’s firsts in North West Women’s Division Two North.

A Fylde team, with new additions including Hermione Edwards and Iola Cooper, scored inside five minutes through Issy Gut.

Abbie Warburton then made it 2-0, only for their experienced opponents to level by half-time.

The second half saw Clitheroe and Blackburn take the lead but a determined Fylde team equalised thanks to Charlotte Lavin.

Fylde’s fourths lost 8-1 at Lancaster Nomads’ firsts in North West Women’s Division Three North Central.

A Fylde team full of new players initially struggled to find their rhythm and were 5-0 down at half-time.

Nevertheless, they pulled one back through Kayt Rayner’s penalty flick before three quick goals quickly reasserted Lancaster’s control.

The fifths picked up a victory as they beat Southport’s seconds 2-0 in North West Women’s Division Four North Central.

With debuts for Evie Dunne, Aimee Jennings, Hattie Tollersom and Gabriella Hopley-Sherratt, Fylde began in determined fashion.

They started to dominate in the early stages but, despite good chances in the circle and a host of penalty corners, they were thwarted by the Southport keeper.

On the occasions that Southport were able to launch attacks, some good saves kept them at bay before Fylde drove the ball up the wings.

Good teamwork provided opportunities in the circle, culminating in Hollie Guthrie’s reverse hit giving Fylde their first goal.

They went from strength to strength in the second half, winning numerous short corners.

Guthrie eventually scored her second as both teams pushed to the end with Fylde working hard to protect their goal.

Finally, there was a 7-1 win for the men’s team in their North West Men’s Division Four North match at Leyland and Chorley Development.

Phil Hope scored twice before Luke Hitchen also netted as Fylde led 3-0 at half-time despite Jay Mayne’s missed penalty flick.

Richard Clarke did make it 4-0 after the restart, though Leyland managed to pull one back.

Hitchin’s second restored Fylde’s four-goal lead before Tim van Rijn and Mayne completed the scoring.