AFC Fylde Women play their second game in the space of four days this Sunday when Middlesbrough FC Women are the visitors to Kellamergh Park.
This rearranged clash with the Teessiders takes place on Sunday 16th February, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.
It is a quick turnaround for Danny Murphy’s Fylde team, who head into this weekend’s game fresh off the back of a narrow 1-0 loss to Chorley Women last Thursday evening. These two Lancastrian rivals played out an enthralling encounter in front of a bumper crowd at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground in Euxton.
There was little to separate the two sides over the 90 minutes, but the contest was ultimately decided by a solitary goal from Chorley’s Safron Newhouse inside the first ten minutes. After falling behind early on, the Coasters created a number of good chances but could not find the elusive equaliser as the Magpies held out to claim all three points.
The Coasters were due to host Middlesbrough Women in the first weekend of January, but the original fixture fell victim to the adverse weather at the start of the year.
Michael Mulhern’s Boro Women are unbeaten in their last five outings and currently occupy second spot in the division. The Teessiders have recorded nine wins out of 15 games and sit only three points behind Cheadle Town Stingers at the top of the table.
Following a 1-0 triumph over Stockport County Ladies last Sunday, the Boro Women then travelled to the LNER Community Stadium on Wednesday for a midweek clash with York City Ladies. Despite taking a second-half lead through Jessica Mett, the Teessiders had to settle for a share of the spoils after Felicity Jones levelled for the MinsterBelles a few minutes later.
When the Coasters last faced Middlesbrough at the start of September, Middlesbrough secured a 3-1 win in Stockton-on-Tees. On that occasion, the Reds established a two-goal lead in the opening ten minutes with goals from Lauren Robson and Ellen Turnbull, before Fylde halved the deficit when Iszy Binks scored directly from a corner kick. The Coasters searched for an equaliser and came close after the interval when Karri Chan’s effort struck the post. The Boro Women went on to extend their lead when Turnbull added a third to make sure of the victory.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s return fixture, the Coasters will be determined to put things right when they take to the pitch at Kellamergh Park this Sunday afternoon.
Words by Scott Jones
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