AFC Fylde Women continued their poor run of form on Sunday with a 2-0 loss to York City Ladies at York Sport Stadium.

The Coasters travelled to North Yorkshire in the hope of reversing their fortunes after back-to-back defeats in the FAWNL Division One North. Fylde made the trip to York City Ladies, who had also endured a tough start to the campaign.

It was a familiar story for the Coasters, who were left to rue their missed opportunities, while the MinsterBelles scored two goals at either end of the game to register their second win of the season.

The home side edged ahead inside the opening quarter-hour when Katie Astle capitalised on a loose ball and finished from close range. Fylde pressed for an equaliser but just could not find the back of the net. It was only in the final few minutes that York City made sure of the victory after Astle raced clear and slotted into the bottom corner deep in stoppage time.

Earlier in the week, AFC Fylde Women parted company with joint First Team Managers Jake Williams and Steve Mainwaring after nine months in the role. Following a challenging period, the Club is now seeking a new First Team Manager to continue the team’s progression.

Goalkeeping coach Justin Mcleod took interim charge for the visit to York, while Dan Jackson was also placed in temporary charge of the hosts after the recent departure of Chris Holloway.

The Coasters started the game on the front foot and nearly scored inside the first few minutes. Katie Bowers Folan made a darting run into the box, advanced past the onrushing goalkeeper, and steered her shot on target, but City defender Imani Todman managed to clear the ball off the line.

The MinsterBelles opened the scoring in the 11th minute after Fylde struggled to clear their lines as Faye Singleton’s left-sided cross was deflected straight into the path of Astle, who tucked the ball into the far corner from six yards out.

Fylde searched for an instant response as Ylenia Carabott teed up Hollie Kelsh-Ridge, who got a shot away but City goalkeeper Becky Sidwell was equal to it. Shortly after, Sidwell was called upon to make a crucial block from close range.

In the 20th minute, Kelsh-Ridge centred for Imogen Borrowdale, whose first-time strike forced another fine save from Sidwell. Moments later, Borrowdale almost turned provider when she slid a pass through to Carabott inside the area, but Carabott could not keep her shot down.

Approaching the half-hour mark, Karri Chan created the next opening but fired just wide of the post. As the visitors ramped up the pressure, Chan and Carabott combined well to send a teasing cross into the box, but it was safely collected by Sidwell.

The MinsterBelles stood firm to maintain their one-goal lead at the break.

Half-Time: York City Ladies FC 1-0 AFC Fylde Women

The MinsterBelles made a bright start to the second period as skipper Ocean Rolandsen took aim from distance but fired off target.

In the 51st minute, Carabott connected with a long ball through the middle and tried an audacious lob over Sidwell, but her effort cleared the crossbar.

As both sides continued to create chances, Astle drew a smart save from Fylde goalkeeper Skye Kirkham just past the hour mark. The Coasters then launched a quick counterattack, only to be denied by Karli Smith’s last-ditch block at close quarters. From a subsequent corner kick, Borrowdale found herself unmarked inside the area but could only glance her header wide.

After the hosts had been awarded a free-kick in the 75th minute, Kanisha Underdown stepped up and swung a cross into the box that Ella Holt managed to hook away to deny Rolandsen a simple tap-in at the back post.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Sidwell launched a long ball over the top that was nodded down for Astle to chase, and the City striker raced through before dinking the ball past Kirkham into the bottom right corner. Astle’s second goal of the afternoon sealed the win with virtually the last action of the game.

Full-Time: York City Ladies FC 2-0 AFC Fylde Women

Next up, the Coasters turn their attention to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with the visit of Darlington Women in the Third Round Qualifying. This home tie will be played at Kellamergh Park on Sunday 13th October, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.

York City Ladies FC: Sidwell, Todman, Smith, Hardcastle (49’ Gibbs), Brierley, Trickett, Rolandsen, Singleton, Underdown, Ash (27’ Sykes), Astle

Unused substitutes: Hayhurst, Shuttleworth, Tinson

AFC Fylde Women: Kirkham, Dunion, Holt, Sanchez (61’ Rogers), Tindall, Hyland, Kelsh-Ridge (65’ Hamer), Chan, Borrowdale, Bowers Folan, Carabott (61’ Osvath)

Unused substitute: Binks

Report by Scott Jones