AFC Fylde Women suffered a late setback on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat to Norton & Stockton Ancients at Kellamergh Park.
The Coasters were left to rue their missed opportunities as the Ancients grabbed the decisive goal twelve minutes from time to claim their first win of the season.
Fylde twice hit the crossbar and also saw a goal ruled out for offside in what was a dominant display on home soil. Despite creating numerous chances, the home side could not find the breakthrough.
After weathering the storm, the Ancients finished the game in the ascendancy as Ewe Marshall headed home from a corner inside the final 15 minutes. The visitors held on to ensure that they returned to Teesside with all three points.
The Coasters were aiming to make it three wins on the spin as they resumed their league campaign against Chris Burton’s Norton side. The Ancients also came into the fixture with renewed confidence after their cup success in the FAWNL Plate last time out.
Jake Williams and Steve Mainwaring made several changes to Fylde’s starting eleven. Skye Kirkham returned in between the sticks, while captain Holly Kelsh-Ridge slotted back into the midfield. Meanwhile, Ylenia Carabott kept her place up front.
On a drizzly afternoon, Fylde made a promising start as Kelsh-Ridge skipped past two defenders before firing in a low drive that forced a smart save from Norton goalkeeper Rachel Chisnall.
Moments later, Ella Holt released Iszy Binks down the right flank before Binks’s centre was well held by Chisnall. Karri Chan almost found Carabott inside the box, but Chisnall rushed out to intercept the cross.
In the 17th minute, the Coasters came within inches of taking the lead when Binks whipped in a free-kick that Alex Sanchez headed towards goal, only to see her header crash back off the crossbar.
Before there was time for the visitors to catch their breath, Fylde struck the woodwork again a few minutes later. Kelsh-Ridge let fly from distance and rattled the crossbar, before Chan was denied on the follow-up.
Imogen Borrowdale was next to take aim as her effort drew another fine save from Chisnall. With half-time approaching, the Coasters finally found the back of the visitors’ net when Chan played in Kelsh-Ridge, who coolly slotted home, but her strike was disallowed for offside.
For all the hosts’ positive build-up play, it somehow remained goalless at the break.
Half-Time: AFC Fylde Women 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients
At the start of the second period, Fylde made a switch in attack as Carabott made way for Katie Bowers Folan.
The first big chance of the half fell to the visitors as Bianca Owens latched onto a corner and prodded past Kirkham, but Abi Tindall made a superb goalline clearance to keep the ball out.
At the other end, Kelsh-Ridge carved out another opening but saw her effort deflected wide for a corner. Teal Dunion then replaced Duffell in the Fylde backline with 65 minutes on the clock.
As the away side grew into the contest, Georgia Rae got on the end of their next corner and directed a header on target, but Kirkham was equal to it.
The Ancients eventually found joy from a corner kick in the 78th minute when Marshall met the left-sided cross with a powerful header past Kirkham to break the deadlock. While the visitors celebrated jubilantly, it left the Coasters feeling utterly deflated.
Despite their best efforts, Fylde could not find an equaliser in the closing minutes to avoid slipping to a narrow defeat.
Full-Time: AFC Fylde Women 0-1 Norton & Stockton Ancients
Next up, the Coasters welcome Chorley Women to Kellamergh Park for the second time in less than a fortnight. This league encounter takes place on Wednesday 25th September, with kick-off at 7.45 pm.
AFC Fylde Women: Kirkham, Binks, Holt, Sanchez, Tindall, Hyland, Duffell (65’ Dunion), Borrowdale, Kelsh-Ridge, Carabott (46’ Bowers Folan), Chan
Unused substitutes: Pendlebury, Rogers
Norton & Stockton Ancients: Chisnall, McGuire, Rae, Burton, West, Reed (73’ Coyle), Owens, Atkinson, Nanga, Jamieson (89’ Wynn), Marshall
Unused substitute: Mitchell
Report by Scott Jones
