Ladies left stranded in cup by Premier pacesetters

AFC Fylde Women 11 (eleven) Runcorn Linnets Ladies 0

By Jack Slater

Linnets Ladies' trip to the North West Women's Regional League Premier Division pacesetters in the Alliance & Design Print Cup was always going to be daunting for the South Division visitors.

AFC Fylde Women are yet to lose a league game after relegation from the FA Women's National League Division One North last season.

They boast a formidable defensive record, having conceded only four goals all season.

As expected, Linnets were very much under the cosh from the outset. They had set up to try to frustrate the opposition and work their way into the tie.

Early efforts from wide areas were placed wide or saved comfortably by Alex Bellfield in the Runcorn goal.

Linnets started brightly, finding space on the right through Lile Ashley and Sophie Rotheram. But when the ball broke to Lily Shakeshaft, she was unable to find Ashley in a promising position.

Fylde continued to cause issues with their pace out wide but Caitlin Gibbons and Callie Clarke-Smith kept them at bay.

The Lancasttians' set-pieces also posed problems but these were thwarted by resolute Runcorn defending.

However, Fylde found the opener on 14 minutes when a front-post header from a corner soared into the top of the net.

It didn't take long for them to hit the target again. On 18 minutes, a long-range effort was only parried by Bellfield, who was beaten by the follow-up.

A series of Runcorn corners ultimately came to nothing, being well defended by Fylde before Ashley missed the target from the edge of the area.

AFC Fylde made it 3-0 on 34 minutes, the central midfielder slotting home from just outsude the box.

A fast start to the second half saw the Coasters take advantage of a change in shape from the Yellows.

Further goals on 47 and 53 minutes extended the lead to 5-0.

AFC Fylde were now firmly in control of the game and Linnets were unable to forge much in way of chances as pace out wide and through the middle left Runcorn defenders isolated.

Mollie Bennett saw an attempt saved by the goalkeeper before AFC Fylde scored again on 60, 63 and 67 minutes, when a well-worked free kick reaped its rewards.

Runcorn had by this time introduced Amelia Cullen and Eva Whimperley for Chelsea Gillies and Gabby Evans.

Linnets lost 'keeper Bellfield on 76 minutes. A collision with Gibbons, who had been pushed by an AFC Fylde attacker, led to a concussion injury.

On 78 minutes, stand-in Gillies was beaten by a penalty awarded for a foul by Gibbons.

Jess Bazley and Rotheram continued to drive Linnets forward but AFC Fylde stood firm with well-timed defensive challenges and blocks

The Red Rose side reached double figures, a deflected shot finding the net on 87 minutes before the scoring was completed by a well-placed header at the back post.

It had been a tough day at the office for Linnets and one from which they will want to  bounce back in the coming weeks.