AFC Fylde Women make the trip to Staffordshire on Sunday when they visit Emerys Stadium in Norton for their rearranged clash with Stoke City FC Women.
This FAWNL Northern Premier Division fixture takes place on Sunday 7th April, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.
Jake Williams’s and Steve Mainwaring’s team will be determined to bounce back from two away defeats in the space of four days. After a slender 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion Women last Sunday, the Coasters then went down 9-0 to high-flying Burnley Women on Wednesday evening.
Weather-permitting, it will hopefully be third time lucky for this weekend’s trip to Stoke City. The original fixture fell foul of the inclement weather back in November, before the rearranged date in February was also postponed due to a waterlogged pitch in Norton.
When the two sides locked horns at Kellamergh Park last month, Fylde ended up on the losing side of a narrow 2-1 scoreline.
The Coasters were heading for a deserved point after a solid display on home soil, but they somehow came away empty-handed as the Potters grabbed a late winner to claim all three points.
On that occasion, Roisin Kivel put the visitors ahead midway through the first half, before Fylde equalised early in the second half when Sasha Rowe made no mistake with an excellent finish.
With the game finely balanced, Mia Leath scored a decisive second with only nine minutes remaining to seal the victory for the Potters.
Marie Hourihan’s City side are targeting a strong finish to the season and currently occupy sixth position in the standings, having gained 24 points from 17 games.
Last time out, Stoke City came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Halifax Women at Clayton Wood. Both goals arrived inside the opening half an hour. Drew Greene gave the Eagles the lead, before Molly Holder’s powerful header restored parity for the hosts.
As the Coasters prepare for another tough test on the road this Sunday, they will be going all out to come away from Staffordshire with a positive result.
Words by Scott Jones
