AFC Fylde Women are still searching for their first points of the season after suffering a 2-0 loss on Sunday at home to Stourbridge FC Women.
The Coasters extended their winless start to the campaign with a defeat to newly promoted Stourbridge, who claimed all three points thanks to goals from Kelsey Richardson and Niamh Deasy.
Jack Garside’s Fylde produced a strong attacking display but were unable to convert their chances in front of goal. While the final scoreline was not a fair reflection of the team’s overall performance, it was the Glass Girls who took home the spoils to register their first maximum of the season.
Garside named Lauren Heria as the captain in Sasha Rowe’s absence, whilst also giving a start to goalkeeper Grace Pilling for her debut between the sticks.
Fylde made a bright start to the game and created the first chance inside three minutes. Striker Ginny Lackey raced on to a through ball and tested Stourbridge goalkeeper Jamie-Lee Bamford from close range, but Bamford made a crucial stop.
As Fylde probed for the opener, it was Stourbridge who made the early breakthrough when they were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute for a trip inside the area. Richardson stepped up and slotted the penalty into the bottom left corner to put the Glass Girls ahead.
The Coasters responded positively to the setback and fashioned a number of chances in the final third. Iszy Binks struck a speculative effort just over the crossbar before Clara Samson went on a mazy run and fizzed in a dangerous cross that Bamford did well to gather.
In the 38th minute, Stourbridge managed to double their lead somewhat against the run of play. Breaking from a corner at the other end, Senna Robinson counterattacked at pace, skilfully rounded the goalkeeper, and squared for Deasy to finish from close range.
As a result, the hosts went into the break trailing 2-0.
Half-Time: AFC Fylde Women 0-2 Stourbridge FC Women
The Coasters continued to apply pressure on the visiting defence as the second half got underway. In the 51st minute, the Glass Girls were again indebted to Bamford’s heroics in goal. Murphy’s cross found Lackey, who steered a header towards goal, but Bamford showed sharp reflexes to tip it over.
Minutes later, Rebecca Beresford hit a superb strike from distance, but Bamford was equal to it.
Just past the hour mark, Stourbridge threatened when Robinson darted down the wing and centred for Deasy, whose first-time shot drew an excellent save from Pilling in the Fylde goal.
With time running out, the Coasters were desperately unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when a delivery from the left rattled the top of the crossbar and went out of play.
Bamford came to the rescue in stoppage time to make another smart save to prevent the Coasters from pulling a goal back late on.
Full-Time: AFC Fylde Women 0-2 Stourbridge FC Women
The Coasters are back on the road this Sunday when they travel to New Bucks Head in Telford to face Wolves Women. This away fixture takes place on 24th September, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.
Supporters travelling to the match can purchase tickets in advance via the Wolves Women’s website. Further details can be found on our social media channels.
AFC Fylde Women: Pilling, Thomas, Hamill (63’ Knox), Strutton, Binks, Siddall, Heria (63’ Moore), Beresford (75’ Bickett), Murphy, Lackey, Samson (46’ Devereaux)
Unused substitute: Craven
Stourbridge FC Women: Bamford, Harrison, Clarke, Heaselgrave, Embley, McGovern (72’ Murphy), Richardson, Fishwick, Lawrence (60’ Rogers), Deasy (86’ Atkinson), Robinson (80’ Bate)
Report by Scott Jones
