AFC Fylde Women twice came from behind to earn a spirited 2-2 draw at Barnsley FC Women on the opening day of the 2024/25 FAWNL season.
Kicking off their campaign in the FAWNL Division One North, the Coasters travelled to South Yorkshire on Sunday for their curtain-raiser on the Oakwell AstroTurf against Jess Horsley’s newly promoted Reds.
After a cagey first period, the contest sprung into life in the second half when Barnsley went ahead through Freya Walton’s audacious lob, before Fylde’s Lois Moore quickly levelled with a stunning strike of her own. With time running out, Ruby Jex-Oldfield restored the Reds’ lead with a dipping effort into the bottom corner, but Fylde debutant Millie Tindall would have the final word as she slotted home from a free-kick to ensure that the Coasters earned a deserved share of the spoils.
Fresh off the back of a busy preseason, Fylde joint managers Jake Williams and Steve Mainwaring were eager for their team to make a positive start to the new campaign when they visited the Oakwell Showcase Pitch in Barnsley.
Fylde’s starting eleven featured as many as six debutants, while four other new signings were included on the bench. Playing in their yellow-and-black away strip, the new-look Coasters certainly made a bright start to proceedings.
Inside the opening minutes, Fylde’s backline reacted well to intercept a dangerous cross from Barnsley’s Lauryn Wilcock, before Jex-Oldfield tested the palms of Fylde goalkeeper Skye Kirkham on her debut.
In the 16th minute, Moore found space down the flank, dribbled into the box, and unleashed a fierce drive that Barnsley goalkeeper Becky Flaherty did well to save at her near post.
The Reds came close on the half-hour mark when Wilcock darted inside and fired a shot just over the crossbar. Fylde’s defence came under pressure five minutes later when Betty Cheetham’s lofted free-kick was pushed away by Kirkham, before Charley Evans’s follow-up attempt was off target.
After some excellent build-up play by skipper Holly Kelsh-Ridge, Moore then broke clear and found the back of the net in the 37th minute, but it was ruled out for offside. The two sides could not be separated going into the interval.
Half-Time: Barnsley FC Women 0-0 AFC Fylde Women
Following the restart, Fylde continued to contain the hosts but were finally undone in the 59th minute when midfielder Freya Walton capitalised on a defensive mix-up and lobbed Kirkham from 35 yards out to give Barnsley the breakthrough.
That lead did not last long, however, as Fylde responded in the most positive fashion. Advancing from the halfway line, Moore pushed forward and beat Flaherty with a spectacular strike from 25 yards out to level the score in the 65th minute.
As the contest began to open up, Fylde were indebted to Kirkham’s goalkeeping heroics for keeping the hosts at bay. In the 72nd minute, Wilcock played in Louise Biggins for a one-on-one chance, but Kirkham made a smart save to deny Biggins at close quarters. Minutes later, Kirkham was called into action again to keep out Jodie Gregory’s effort from inside the box.
With momentum in their favour, Barnsley went on to regain the lead in the 81st minute when Jex-Oldfield took aim from the left-hand edge of the area and looped her shot into the far corner, leaving Kirkham with no chance.
Despite the late setback, the Coasters refused to lie down as they searched for an instant response. After being awarded a free-kick some 30 yards from goal, Sasha Rowe sent an inviting cross into a crowded penalty box, where Tindall evaded her marker and steered the ball past Flaherty to grab a dramatic equaliser only minutes from time.
Full-Time: Barnsley FC Women 2-2 AFC Fylde Women
Next up, the Coasters welcome Leeds United Women to Kellamergh Park on Sunday 25th August for their first home game of the season. This upcoming fixture forms part of a Family Fun Day and promises to be a fun-filled occasion for all supporters. Further details can be found on the club’s website and social media channels.
Barnsley FC Women: Flaherty, Turton-Burrell, Rigby, Millard, Cheetham, Wilcock (78’ Barraclough), Evans, Walton, Jex-Oldfield, Gregory, Biggins
Unused substitutes: Ridsdel-Harrison, Chincharo, Brown, Ayrton, Fevers
AFC Fylde Women: Kirkham, Dunion, Sanchez, Rowe, Tindall, Whitaker (51’ Duffell), Kelsh-Ridge, Chan, Bowers Folan, Moore (89’ Hamer), Carabott (60’ Osvath)
Unused substitutes: Pendlebury, Rogers
Report by Scott Jones
