AFC Fylde Women switch their focus to the FA Women’s National League Cup on Sunday when they travel to the East Midlands to meet Notts County Women FC in the First Round.

This FAWNL Cup tie takes place at the RM Stadium in Hucknall on Sunday 1st October, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.

There is no denying the fact that it has been a tough start to the season for the Coasters, who have had an especially difficult run of fixtures in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division. Following six straight defeats in the league, Fylde find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table.

Nevertheless, Jack Garside’s team are continuing to work hard on the training ground in a bid to turn their fortunes around and build some momentum heading into the busy month of October.

Speaking after last Sunday’s defeat to Wolves Women, Jack Garside acknowledged: “It has been an incredibly tough start to the league campaign, but this is a new, young, exciting side who are building every week.”

Sunday’s game presents the Coasters with the ideal opportunity to return to winning ways and progress to the next round of the FAWNL Cup. Having said that, the Coasters will not be taking their opponents lightly as they turn their full focus to the challenge at hand this weekend.

It will be the second time in this competition that the Coasters have faced opposition known as the Magpies. In the Determining Round played back in August, Fylde made a late comeback to overcome the Magpies of Chorley Women in a 2-1 win at Kellamergh Park.

After Chorley had gone ahead midway through the second half, Fylde showed great fighting spirit to score two quick-fire goals in the closing minutes. With time running out, Cath Hamill netted the equaliser, before Beth Strutton grabbed the winner to spark jubilant scenes at the full-time whistle.

Fylde have since been handed a First Round draw against the Magpies of Notts County Women, who compete in the FAWNL Division One Midlands. After earning promotion as champions last season, Adam Dunleavy’s Notts County have experienced a rather mixed start to life in the fourth tier.

In their opening six games, the Magpies have recorded two notable victories over Sutton Coldfield Town and Leafield Athletic. However, County came away empty-handed last Sunday after a heavy defeat at home to Solihull Moors Women.

As for this Sunday, both teams will relish the opportunity to advance to the next round of the cup and give themselves a platform to build on for the next stage of the season.

Words by Scott Jones