AFC Fylde Women twice battled from behind on Sunday to earn a 2-2 draw away to Norton & Stockton Ancients.

Following a credible home draw last time out, Danny Murphy’s Fylde team travelled to Teesside with a renewed sense of optimism as they took on Chris Burton’s Ancients at the Norton Sports Complex.

There was little to separate the two sides over the course of the 90 minutes, but Fylde showed their fighting spirit after twice coming from behind with goals from Imogen Borrowdale and Nicola James.

While neither side was able to find the winner, the Coasters returned from the North East with another point on the board as they continued to build momentum heading into the business end of the season.

There were as many as three debuts in Fylde’s starting line-up as goalkeeper Millie Crook started in between the sticks, while Niamh Corrigan and Zea Anderson also made their bow for the visitors. Meanwhile, Nicola James captained the side in the absence of Holly Kelsh-Ridge, while Karri Chan spearheaded the attack.

On a wet and windy afternoon on Teesside, the game got off to a slow start as both sides struggled to adapt to the inclement conditions. Inside the first few minutes, Fylde had a sight on goal when Millie Tindall swung a free-kick towards the far post, but it drifted out of play.

Orlaith O’Mahony was quickly in the action as she turned away from her marker and released Corrigan down the wing, but Corrigan was flagged offside. The contest sprung into life just past the quarter-hour mark when Louise Atkinson fired the Ancients in front. Bianca Owens created space inside the box and centred for Atkinson, who made no mistake from close range.

The hosts’ lead did not last long, however, as the Coasters found an instant response in the 19th minute. After some neat build-up play by Corrigan, Borrowdale timed her run to perfection, shrugged off the challenge of a Norton defender, and coolly slotted past Kelsie Moore to draw Fylde level.

Shortly later, the Ancients thought that they had restored their lead when Shannon Reed broke clear and found the back of the net, but her effort was disallowed for offside.

Approaching the half-hour mark, Corrigan was causing the hosts more problems when she won a free-kick in a dangerous position. Tindall sent a teasing delivery into the box, but Moore did well to gather under pressure. As Fylde attacked once more, Corrigan weaved her way past several defenders and fired on target, but Moore made a smart save.

On the stroke of half-time, the Ancients regained their lead courtesy of a spectacular strike from Erin Boyle. Collecting a loose ball on the edge of the area, Boyle arrowed a shot into the top corner to give the Ambers the advantage at the halfway stage.

Half-Time: Norton & Stockton Ancients 2-1 AFC Fylde Women

Soon after the restart, the Ancients looked to extend their lead when Chloe West’s deep-lying free-kick was met by the head of Bianca Owens, but Crook reacted well to deny her.

On the hour-mark, Fylde made a double switch as Ellie Adams and Demi Devereaux were introduced to the action. And with fresh legs in attack, it did not take long for the Coasters to restore parity. 

In the 65th minute, James intercepted an errant pass high up the pitch and lifted the ball over the advanced goalkeeper to find the back of the net. It was an audacious strike to bring the scores level.

Following their second goal, the Coasters enjoyed more possession as they went in search of a third. Corrigan was replaced by Natasha Dale to bolster their attacking line. Entering the final quarter of an hour, Beth Mason worked an opening and forced another good save from Moore.

With time running out, Owens slid the ball through to substitute Sophie Hodgson, who got a shot away, but Crook gathered comfortably. As the referee blew the full-time whistle, Murphy’s Coasters could be proud of their efforts as they came away with a valuable point on the road.

Full-Time: Norton & Stockton Ancients 2-2 AFC Fylde Women

Norton & Stockton Ancients: Moore, Coyle, Boyle (46’ Rae), McGuire, Burton, West, Reed, Owens, Atkinson (77’ Hodgson), Jamieson, Marshall

Unused substitutes: McSorley, McArthur

AFC Fylde Women: Crook, Mason, James, Breed, Tindall (80’ Moore), O’Mahony, Hyland (80’ Dunion), Borrowdale, Corrigan (76’ Dale), Anderson (61’ Adams), Chan (61’ Devereaux)

Report by Scott Jones