Sunday 16th March 2025
FA Women’s National League Division One North
AFC Fylde Women fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Stockport County Ladies at Stockport Sports Village.
The Coasters travelled to Cheshire on Sunday for their rearranged fixture against the Hatters with the hope of bridging the gap on the teams above them at the bottom end of the table. After falling behind to an early strike from Jess Brady, Fylde stuck to their task and remained firmly in the contest.
It stayed that way until the closing quarter of an hour when Natalie Watson’s quick-fire brace put the game to bed and sealed an impressive home victory for the Hatters.
Steve O’Hara’s County side produced arguably their best home performance of the season as they scored three times without reply to claim maximum points in their final outing at Stockport Sports Village this season.
As for the visitors, Danny Murphy’s Coasters competed well for large spells, but were left frustrated after drawing a blank in front of goal for the second game in a row.
In Fylde’s starting line-up, Millie Crook retained her place in between the sticks, while skipper Holly Kelsh-Ridge returned from illness. Recent signings Amelia Freeman and Ruth Sundquist bolstered the defence, while Lois Moore and Demi Devereaux lead the line up front.
On a bright and chilly afternoon in Stockport, both teams started the game with high intensity as they each looked to gain the ascendancy. Inside the first ten minutes, County midfielder Levi Rathburn hit the byline and centred for Brady, whose effort was gathered by Crook in the Fylde goal.
In the 18th minute, Kenedy Owen hit a long ball over the top for Brady to chase. As Crook came out to claim the pass, the ball bounced wickedly off the turf and beyond her reach before falling invitingly to Brady, who was left with the simple task of tapping into an empty net.
After the early setback, the Coasters worked hard in search of an equaliser. Devereaux and Moore combined well in attack as they tried to get in behind County’s backline. Minutes later, Fylde almost capitalised on a stray pass at the back, but Mollie Newton made a vital interception to avert the danger.
The Hatters came close to doubling their lead when Rathburn worked space for a shot and hit the post with a fierce drive. With the hosts enjoying the better chances in the first half, the Coasters did well to trail by only a single goal at the break.
Half-Time: Stockport County Ladies FC 1-0 AFC Fylde Women
The Coasters made a bright start to the second period as they looked to find a way through County’s well-organised defence.
Thanks to some resolute defending by both sides, chances came at a premium as the second half unfolded.
After determined play by Newton down the flank, Olivia Greenhalgh found space for a shot but could only drag her effort wide of the post.
Just past the hour mark, Fylde made a double substitution as Mia Hyland and Lois Moore were replaced by Ellie Adams and Karri Chan.
And as the game entered the final quarter-hour, Fylde made a third change as Zea Anderson replaced Devereaux in attack.
A devastating three-minute spell by the Hatters then put the game out of sight as Watson bagged a brace in quick succession. In the 77th minute, Emma Lysons played a sublime pass from the right to pick out Watson, who raced through and confidently finished past Crook to make it 2-0.
Only a few minutes later, Brady linked up well with Watson and played a neat one-two, before Brady cut the ball back to Watson, who fired into the bottom left corner, leaving Crook with no chance.
The result left the Coasters with still plenty of work to do to ensure their safety, but Murphy’s side will remain upbeat as they look ahead to their next assignment away to Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Full-Time: Stockport County Ladies FC 3-0 AFC Fylde Women
Stockport County Ladies FC: Hean, Lysons, Newton, Lancaster, Davies, Owen, Rathburn (81' Nsangou), Greenhalgh (85' Bancroft), Watson (85' Tutton), Csomor (81' Figueiredo), Brady
AFC Fylde Women: Crook, Mason, Sundquist, James, Freeman, O’Mahony, Hyland (64’ Adams), Kelsh-Ridge, Corrigan, Moore (64’ Chan), Devereaux (75’ Anderson)
Unused substitutes: Dunion, Tindall
Report by Scott Jones
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