AFC Fylde Women begin December with a rearranged trip to the Stafflex Arena to take on Huddersfield Town Women.
This league fixture takes place on Sunday 1st December, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.
The Coasters travel to West Yorkshire to meet the Terriers for the first time this season after the original fixture in mid-September had to be rescheduled as both clubs were involved in cup competition.
This Sunday’s match-up presents Marc Joyce’s Fylde with the perfect opportunity to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Cheadle Town Stingers a fortnight ago.
In what was Joyce’s first home game in charge, the Coasters fell behind inside the opening minutes when Harriet Houghton scored from a corner. Fylde gradually grew into the contest but struggled to create any clear-cut chances. The Stingers reasserted their control in the second half and eventually doubled their lead moments from time when Issy Dean finished from another set play.
Without a fixture last weekend, Joyce and his coaching staff have been able to spend more quality time on the training pitch as they prepare for their next test against fifth-placed Huddersfield Town Women, who have gone six matches unbeaten in all competitions.
Glen Preston’s Town will go into this weekend’s fixture in a confident mood after a 2-1 win against Accrington Stanley Women in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup last time out.
The Terriers made the trip to the Wham Stadium with the aim of booking their place in the Third Round of the Cup. And a brace from talismanic striker Charlotte Stuart helped the Terriers on their way to a solid away victory, despite a nervy finish after the hosts managed to pull a goal back in the closing minutes.
The Coasters most recently entertained Huddersfield in a preseason friendly on a balmy afternoon last summer. Enduring stiflingly hot conditions, both teams benefited from a good workout at Kellamergh Park as they ramped up their preparations ahead of the new campaign in the fourth tier.
When the two teams last met in a competitive fixture, it was Fylde’s final home game of the 2023/24 season. With only pride to play for, it still proved to be a competitive encounter between the division’s relegated sides.
On that occasion, Fylde showed their attacking prowess with early strikes from Karri Chan and Codie Thomas, before the visitors reduced the arrears through Rebecca Beresford.
As the two teams get ready for this Sunday’s league clash, the Coasters will be looking to repeat that feat as they attempt to climb up the table.
Words by Scott Jones
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