AFC Fylde Women bowed out of the FAWNL Plate on Sunday with a 3-0 defeat to Wolves Women at the First Round stage.
The Coasters travelled to Wolves’ Compton Park training ground to take on Dan McNamara’s high-flying side, who compete in the third tier of the women’s football pyramid.
As strong favourites to advance to the next round, Wolves had to work hard to earn their victory as the Coasters gave a good account of themselves on their travels.
However, Wolves punished them in key moments of the game, scoring three times without reply. Beth Merrick bagged a brace, while Abi Loydon also got on the scoresheet.
Fylde joint managers Jake Williams and Steve Mainwaring were looking for a positive response from their team in the wake of successive home defeats.
In Fylde’s starting eleven, Beth Mason and Teal Dunion came into the defence, while Minnie Rogers wore the captain’s armband as Holly Kelsh-Ridge dropped to the bench. Meanwhile, Charlotte Clarke made her debut in between the sticks for the hosts.
The Coasters made a confident start as they took the game to their higher-league opponents. Mia Hyland did well to get an early shot on target, but Clarke was equal to it.
Following a cagey opening, Wolves broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Merrick dispossessed Rogers down the left channel, drove into the box, and curled a shot into the top right corner, just beyond the outstretched dive of Skye Kirkham.
It capped off a fine solo run by the Wolves forward, whose opening goal helped to settle the nerves of the home side. As for the visitors, it was a harsh blow to concede on the break after containing the hosts for so long in the first period.
Wolves’ next attack came down the right flank as Jade Cross’s cutback picked out Ania Denham, whose first-time strike drew a smart save from Kirkham at her near post.
Fylde worked hard in and out of possession to remain in the contest, but it was proving tough to get past the Wolves defence.
With half-time approaching, Merrick advanced to the edge of the area and hit a speculative drive, but Kirkham gathered it comfortably. Fylde therefore trailed by a single goal at the break.
Half-Time: Wolves Women 1-0 AFC Fylde Women
Wolves started the second half on the front foot as they attempted to add to their tally. Denham worked an opening down the left, but Rogers did well to force her wide as Denham’s left-footed shot sailed over the crossbar.
Fylde made a tactical switch in the 55th minute as Karri Chan was replaced by Millie Tindall.
Moments later, Ylenia Carabott almost found an equaliser for the visitors when she darted inside from the left and flashed an effort narrowly over the crossbar.
At the other end, Hannah Fryer threatened to add a second for the hosts as she met Merrick’s centre with a side-footed shot that Kirkham did well to palm away.
Wolves eventually doubled their lead in the 61st minute when Loydon raced onto a long ball over the top and showed neat control on the edge of the area, before arrowing the ball into the bottom right corner.
The goal stemmed from a defensive clearance that was inadvertently headed into the path of the Wolves attacker, but, to her credit, Loydon made no mistake with a clinical finish from 18 yards out.
Wolves extended their lead ten minutes later when Merrick produced virtually a carbon copy of her first goal. Denham sprayed the ball out wide to Merrick, who checked inside and curled a shot into the far corner from just inside the box.
Wolves saw out the remainder of the contest to secure their passage into the Second Round of the Plate, in which they will travel to Cheltenham Town Women in late October.
As for the Coasters, it is a return to league action next weekend as they seek to get back to winning ways in the FAWNL Division One North.
Full-Time: Wolves Women 3-0 AFC Fylde Women
The Coasters hit the road again this Sunday with a trip to face York City Ladies. This away meeting with the MinsterBelles takes place at the York Sport Stadium on Sunday 6th October, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.
Wolves Women: Clarke, E. Cross (65′ Hiscox), J. Cross, Loydon (78′ George), Banaras (78′ Quigley), Johnson, Fryer, Anderson (65′ Hughes), Denham, Jenner, Merrick (78′ Greengrass)
Unused substitutes: Morphet, Calder
AFC Fylde Women: Kirkham, Binks, Mason, Holt, Rogers, Dunion, Hyland, Borrowdale, Chan (55′ Tindall), Carabott, Bowers Folan
Unused substitutes: Pendlebury, Kelsh-Ridge
Report by Scott Jones