AFC Fylde Women will be eager to get their season back on track on Sunday when they entertain Doncaster Rovers Belles at Kellamergh Park.
This league encounter takes place on Sunday 27th October, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.
Having not been involved in cup competition last weekend, the Coasters will be raring to go when they return to action in the FAWNL Division One North.
It has been another productive week on the training ground for Fylde, who have been boosted by the progress of several key players returning from injury. Defender Iszy Binks and forward Lois Moore are nearing a return to full fitness, while goalkeeper Megan Hunter has also made huge strides in her recovery.
In other news, Ylenia Carabott will be unavailable for selection after she was named in the Malta Women’s squad for their international friendly against Italy Women on Friday evening. This represents an incredible achievement for the Fylde forward to be called up to her national side.
Looking ahead, the Coasters will be keen to build on their recent success in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup a fortnight ago, in which they registered a 7-1 win over Darlington Women in the Third Round Qualifying.
Entering the final qualifying stage of the competition, Fylde hosted Darlington Women at Kellamergh Park. Shaun Mackenzie’s Quaker Women were hopeful of causing an upset, but the Coasters quickly put paid to that ambition by taking a commanding first-half lead before adding to their tally shortly after the break.
Much to their credit, the visitors defended resolutely in the second half to prevent any further goals, but Fylde saw out the victory to book their place in the First Round Proper.
As for their next opponents, Ciaran Toner’s Doncaster Rovers Belles currently sit just above the relegation zone, two places above Fylde at the bottom end of the table.
Last weekend, the Belles had an afternoon to forget after a disappointing 3-0 loss away to Cheadle Town Stingers. Rachael Dunlop bagged a brace for the home side, before Jessica Gillin added a third in the closing minutes to consign the Belles to their sixth defeat of the campaign.
However, the Belles did taste success in the previous round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup when they ran out 4-0 winners at home to Hull United. The Belles can now look forward to an away tie against FC St Helens Women in the next round.
As the Belles prepare to visit Kellamergh Park this Sunday afternoon, the Coasters will be ready to meet the challenge in their quest to pick up a positive result in front of their home supporters.
Words by Scott Jones
