Photo: John Shirras
AFC Fylde Women are set for a special night under the lights on Thursday when they face Chorley Women FC at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground in Euxton.
This league fixture takes place at the home ground of Euxton Villa on Thursday 13th February, with kick-off at 8.00 pm.
It promises to be a special occasion as the FA Premier League Trophy will be on display at the ground. Spectators will have the chance to have their photographs taken with the trophy, while there will also be food stalls, special guests in attendance, and the clubhouse will be open for refreshments.
This midweek clash will be already the third meeting between the two teams this season. Last September, these Lancastrian rivals faced off twice in the space of a fortnight when Chorley were the visitors to Kellamergh Park on two separate occasions.
To begin with, they were drawn against each other in the Preliminary Round of the FAWNL Plate in mid-September. On that occasion, Fylde opened up a two-goal lead through Iszy Binks and Abi Duffell, before Nicola Worthington halved the deficit late on for Chorley to set up a tense finale. The Coasters held out to register a 2-1 win and advance to the First Round, where they were subsequently knocked out by third-tier opponents Wolves Women.
When the Magpies returned to Kellamergh Park for their league outing at the end of September, it was the visitors who claimed all the spoils with a 3-1 success. Fylde fell behind inside the opening 15 minutes as Chorley plundered three goals within five minutes. It left the Coasters with a mountain to climb, but they did reduce the deficit after Imogen Borrowdale scored midway through the first half.
Notwithstanding Fylde’s spirited response in the second period, the damage had already been inflicted as Chorley took home all three points.
Carmelo Ruggieri’s Magpies will be aiming to solidify their position towards the top of the division when they entertain Fylde on Thursday. Chorley sit third in the league standings, with a total of 8 wins from 14 games played.
Last time out, the Magpies slipped to a 2-1 reverse to Middlesbrough Women in Stockton-on-Tees. Worthington’s stunning strike gave Chorley an early advantage, before Boro’s Ellen Turnbull headed in the equaliser on the stroke of half-time. The hosts edged ahead on the hour-mark courtesy of Lauren Robson’s close-range finish to ensure that the points stayed on Teesside.
On a similar note, Danny Murphy’s Coasters will also be looking for a positive response to their recent setback last time out. Fylde began February with a disappointing 3-1 loss at home to York City Ladies.
In a dominant first-half showing, Natasha Dale put the Coasters ahead shortly before the break. However, Felicity Jones drew the MinsterBelles level just past the hour-mark, before Emia Hendrickson-Eastwood gave York the lead. In the closing minutes, Jones bagged her second of the afternoon to complete the turnaround for Emily Senior’s team.
As the Coasters prepare for the first of two league games this week, they will be keen to atone for that defeat when they take on the Magpies under the Euxton floodlights this Thursday evening.
Words by Scott Jones
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