Match Report: AFC Fylde Women 1-0 Doncaster Rovers Belles

AFC Fylde Women left it late on Sunday to seal a hard-earned 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers Belles at Kellamergh Park.

The Coasters created plenty of chances over the piece, but the visitors defended resolutely to keep them at bay. Just as it felt the game would end in a stalemate, Karri Chan popped up in the 89th minute to grab a dramatic winner as Fylde registered their second win of the season to lift themselves off the foot of the table.

Returning to league action for the first time in three weeks, the Coasters were determined to end October on a high note when they hosted Ciaran Toner’s Belles from South Yorkshire.

Ahead of kick-off, the Coasters were boosted by the return of defender Iszy Binks after a spell on the sidelines, while skipper Holly Kelsh-Ridge also returned to the starting eleven. Skye Kirkham retained her place between the sticks, and Minnie Rogers partnered Ella Holt in the centre of defence.

On an overcast afternoon, the Coasters looked to seize the initiative in the opening stages. After being awarded a free-kick inside the first minute, Binks swung in an inviting cross that had to be scrambled away by the Belles backline.

With the visitors’ first real chance, Jess Tugby-Andrews hit a cross-cum-shot that Holt managed to head behind for a corner. From the resulting set-play, Belles striker Ruby Barnes connected with a half volley but her attempt was blocked at close quarters.

In the 17th minute, Fylde had the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed. Imogen Maguire’s attempted clearance struck Katie Bowers Folan squarely in the face, before the loose ball fell to Chan, who turned in the rebound. However, the referee had already stopped play for a head injury, which meant that Chan’s strike would not count.

Fortunately, Bowers Folan was able to continue following a lengthy stoppage. After the restart, Izzy Gigg switched the play to Barnes, who showed neat control but could only fire straight at Kirkham.

In the 37th minute, Kelsh-Ridge hit a speculative drive from distance, but it flew narrowly over the crossbar. Moments later, Kirkham made a routine stop to deny Jess Tugby-Andrew’s free-kick, before Mia Hyland let fly from the right to draw an excellent save from Maguire in the visiting goal.

The Belles threatened in the 40th minute when Hannah McWilliams capitalised on a loose ball inside the box and forced Kirkham into a smart save. Minutes later, a defensive mix-up by the visitors allowed Chan to break clear and round the goalkeeper, but Chan could not convert from an acute angle as her shot rippled the side-netting. As a result, it remained goalless at the interval.

Half-Time: AFC Fylde Women 0-0 Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC

Fresh from an action-packed first half, Fylde picked up where they left off before the break. Bowers Folan skipped past her marker and arrowed a shot just wide of the post. Kelsh-Ridge then worked space on the edge of the area and flashed an effort just over the crossbar.

The Belles applied the pressure at the other end with a dangerous cross that required Kirkham to punch the ball away. From the subsequent corner, Saxton guided a header on target, but the Fylde defence recovered to hook the ball off the line.

Shortly after the hour mark, Fylde made an attacking change as Imogen Borrowdale was replaced by Grace Osvath. It only took a few minutes for Osvath to make her mark as she latched onto Bowers Folan’s through ball and fired across goal, but Maguire made an acrobatic save to palm it away.

As the second half developed, the Belles continued to pose a threat in the final third. McWilliams tried her luck from range but could not keep her shot down, before Lindsey Tugby-Andrew’s close-range shot was repelled by Kirkham, who rushed out to narrow the angle.

With full-time approaching, Chan made a darting run through the middle and confidently finished past Maguire to score the winner right at the death. It sparked jubilant celebrations for the Coasters, who were finally rewarded for their perseverance in front of goal with virtually the last action of the game.

Full-Time: AFC Fylde Women 1-0 Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC

Next up, the Coasters switch their focus back to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup when they travel to face Cheadle Town Stingers in the First Round Proper. This away tie will be played on Sunday 3rd November, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.

AFC Fylde Women: Kirkham, Binks, Holt, Rogers, Tindall, Hyland, Dunion, Borrowdale (63’ Osvath), Kelsh-Ridge, Bowers Folan, Chan

Unused substitutes: Hamer, Whitaker, Sanchez

Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC: Maguire, Adabi, J. Tugby-Andrews, Farrow, Gigg, Saxton, McWilliams (76’ Appleby), L. Tugby-Andrews, Barnes (72’ Laki), Findlay (62’ Banaszczyk), Pitter

Unused substitute: Rattenbury

Report by Scott Jones

The post Match Report: AFC Fylde Women 1-0 Doncaster Rovers Belles appeared first on AFC Fylde.