Hockey leagues hit by Covid restrictions but Fylde battle on and Lytham St Annes edge derby

Only friendly action was possible at Fylde Hockey Club but the players certainly took it seriously

Wins for Fylde Ladies as three LSA sides keep clean sheets

Only two league matches involving Fylde HC and Lytham St Annes HC went ahead. Fylde also managed to arrange two friendlies, though no men’s matches went ahead.

Every effort will be made to continue the season, with the possibility of restructuring the leagues to feature teams from the same Covid tier.

Fylde Ladies 4 found their Lancaster Central League game away to Lancaster 2 still on and they collected their first point of the premier division season with a 1-1 draw.

Fylde used their pace down the wings to dominate the first half, but an experienced goalkeeper thwarted them and a fast break saw the hosts lead at half-time.

But Fylde worked well as a unit after the break and earned their equaliser scored by Scarlett Turnock with a fine strike. The whole team shared the player of the match award.

The division two derby at AKS saw leaders Lytham St Annes 3 record a third straight win, 1-0 against Fylde 6.

A tense and highly competitive game was won 10 minutes from the end, when Lytham’s player of the match Jess Mason released the ball from beneath the Fylde keeper and flicking into the net.

The excitement continued to the end, with Fylde winning a last-gasp short corner which was cleared.

Poppy Chester distributed well for Fylde and Fran Loffler-Thompson kept it tight at the back. Grace Tomlinson was Fylde’s player of the match in a spirited team display.

A friendly was arranged at short notice between the senior teams of Fylde and Lancaster, ending in a thrilling 4-3 win for Fylde.

Fylde started slowly and trailed 2-0 at half-time. But they were composed and determined after the break, pulling one back through Hattie Madden after Dani Merrick flicked the ball over the keeper from the baseline.

Merrick scored the equaliser herself only for Lancaster to regain the lead from a short corner.

Fylde didn’t lose hope an equalised again when Hattie Madden earned a penalty flick, converted powerfully by sister Bo.

Fylde stayed composed and defended several short corners in the final quarter before Hannah Cook ran into space and scored an excellent winner.

Fylde 5 divided into two teams for an in-house friendly, with players from other teams joining in to give this Whites v Blues match the feel of a league game.

The Whites fell behind early but hit back to win an enjoyable game 2-1 as the younger players got to grips with adult hockey. There was strong passing up front from Charlotte Fuller, Soraya Monton and Katie Thompson.