AFC Fylde Women returned from West Yorkshire empty-handed on Sunday after a 6-1 loss to Huddersfield Town Women at the Stafflex Arena.

The Terriers established a two-goal lead in a cagey first half, before adding four second-half goals to put the game firmly out of sight. The Coasters were put to the sword by a clinical Town side, but they did get on the scoresheet in the closing minutes as Lois Moore marked her return from injury with a morale-boosting consolation.

After being regular opponents in the third tier, the Coasters renewed their rivalry with the Terriers for the first time since both teams were relegated to the FAWNL Division One North. This fixture was originally scheduled for mid-September but had to be rearranged due to both sides’ involvement in cup competition.

This early December trip to Huddersfield could not have come at a worse time for Fylde, who had been decimated by injury and illness in the squad, with as many as four players unavailable for selection.

Nevertheless, that should take nothing away from a formidable attacking display by Glen Preston’s Terriers, who ran out convincing winners to stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.

The Coasters took to the field in their black-and-yellow away kit, while Huddersfield played in their changed red kit. The fixture also saw both teams show their support for Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign to promote diversity and inclusion in the game.

In the opening exchanges, Terriers captain Beth Stanfield hit a speculative drive from distance, but it flew wide of the post. Fylde’s Katie Bowers Folan then created an opening, but saw her shot deflected into the arms of Town goalkeeper Kacey Bolton-Woollam.

In an early raid down the right, Holly Kelsh-Ridge beat her marker and crossed into the box, but Bolton-Woollam came out to gather. In the 27th minute, Karri Chan stole possession high up the pitch, before Kelsh-Ridge took over and unleashed a long-range effort that stung the palms of Bolton-Woollam.

Just past the half-hour mark, the Terriers opened the scoring when Rebecca Beresford broke through the middle, rounded Skye Kirkham, and cut the ball back for Yasmin Mason to prod home at the near post. It was a superb assist by the former Fylde playmaker to give Huddersfield the breakthrough.

The hosts doubled their lead seven minutes later when Mason grabbed her second of the afternoon. Katie Mallin’s floated corner from the right was met by Mason’s glancing header into the far corner to make it 2-0.

Mason’s quick-fire brace meant that the Terriers went into the break with a two-goal cushion.

Half-Time: Huddersfield Town Women 2-0 AFC Fylde Women

At the start of the second half, Kelsh-Ridge made way for Grace Osvath in the midfield. The Coasters nearly found a way back into the contest when Chan intercepted a pass down the left and darted into the area, only to be halted by a sliding challenge from Beth Ibbotson.

On the hour-mark, Huddersfield scored again with another header, this time when Charlotte Stuart nodded Mallin’s cross into the bottom corner to claim her tenth goal of the season.

With the Fylde defence stretched, Leah Embley switched the play to Stanfield, who took aim from the edge of the area and nestled her shot in the bottom corner. Admittedly, Stanfield’s strike took a wicked bounce just in front of Kirkham on its way into the back of the net.

In the 78th minute, Molly Firth cut inside from the left and got a shot away, but Kirkham charged out to deny her at point-blank range.

Minutes later, Huddersfield made it five after Firth’s left-sided cross bounced just beyond Kirkham’s reach and into the path of Embley, who neatly steered the ball in at the back post.

Shortly after replacing Demi Devereaux in attack, Moore made an instant impact off the bench when she followed in on the rebound to score in the 87th minute. Millie Tindall’s left-footed drive was spilled by Bolton-Woollam, before Moore tucked in the rebound from close range. It was a special moment for Moore as she announced her return with a classic poacher’s finish.

As the game entered stoppage time, the Terriers rounded off the scoring after Embley’s right-sided cross was swept home by substitute Scarlett McMahon to add further gloss to the scoreline.

Full-Time: Huddersfield Town Women 6-1 AFC Fylde Women

Words by Scott Jones