AFC Fylde Women make their long-awaited return to action on Sunday when they host Stoke City FC Women at Kellamergh Park.
This league game is scheduled for Sunday 10th March, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.
Since their last outing against Liverpool Feds in mid-February, the Coasters have not played over the past four weeks after three consecutive fixtures ended up being postponed.
On 18th February, their rearranged visit to Stoke City Women was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Emerys Stadium in Norton, before their midweek trip to Burnley Women also fell victim to the weather four days later.
The Coasters were then set to host Wolves Women in the final weekend of February. Unfortunately, Fylde could not fulfil the fixture due a number of unforeseen injuries in the squad.
Without any competitive games over recent weeks, the Coasters have been building up their fitness levels and working hard on the training ground ahead of this weekend’s clash with Stoke City.
Marie Hourihan’s Potters currently sit seventh in the table and have collected 17 points from 13 games, which includes five victories so far this campaign.
The Potters are looking to build some momentum heading into the run-in. After recording an emphatic 4-1 victory over Stourbridge Women last month, the Potters then went down 4-1 to league leaders Newcastle United Women last weekend.
Goals from Katie Barker, Georgia Gibson and Jasmine McQuade set the Magpies on their way inside the opening quarter of an hour as the visitors gained an early ascendancy. The Potters battled back in the second half and were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Heidi Logan pulled a goal back in the 80th minute.
However, there was still time for Newcastle substitute Bridget Galloway to continue her fine goalscoring form as she netted the visitors’ fourth in the closing minutes.
As the two sides prepare for this Sunday’s encounter, the Coasters will be looking to pick up a positive result against the Potters ahead of an exciting finale to the season.
Words by Scott Jones
