Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies played at the weekend, with the First Team, Reserves and Development Squad playing teams all in action.
With the First Team taking on Cheadle Town Stinger, the Reserves playing Darwen FC and the Development Squad playing Lancashire side Preston North End, we caught up with the action through these reports.
Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies (First team)
The first team travelled away on Sunday to take on Cheadle Town Stingers. The Ladies knew it would be a good battle going into the game, with Cheadle being a very experienced and being a good side. It was a tough start to the game for the Wrens as Cheadle were quick to attack and create chances. We soon found ourselves 2-0 down in the first 25 minutes. The Ladies fought hard to get back into the game and with a fantastic goal from Lucas, the ladies found their stride and began to create chances and were unlucky not to convert anymore.
Fleetwood were soon reduced to ten players but continued to compete and play well against tough competition. As the game reached the final minutes a late penalty was awarded to Cheadle, in which keeper O'Neill was able to save initially before it being put in the net on the rebound. A tough defeat away from home, but the Ladies look to go again at the weekend.
Final Score: Cheadle Town 3-1 Fleetwood Wrens Ladies
Player of the match: Sophie Slater
Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies Reserves
This week the reserves played Darwen FC. As the game began both teams began to battle, with chances created at both ends, the Ladies were unlucky not to find the back of the net after numerous chances fell their way. As the first half was coming to and end, Darwen managed to convert one of their chances, putting the home team a goal behind.
As the whistle blew for the second half Fleetwood came out fighting and were unlucky not to score early on after taking control of the game and creating lots of chances. With Town dominated, a quick break for Darwen saw them take their only chance and convert it once again – being clinical in front of goal.
The Ladies dug deep and got a grip of the game, with a fantastic cross from Atiken in which McCarthy was able to head into the back of the net. The Ladies began to dominant across the pitch and with ten minutes to go they continued to be aggressive in their search for their second goal and they didn't have to wait long as a great ball played through midfield, once again saw McCarthy on the end of it as she buried a rebound from the Darwen keepers save as this brought the Ladies level with Darwen.
With only four minutes to go the Ladies were not satisfied with a draw and continued to apply the pressure to find that winning goal. As the ball dropped in the penalty area McCarthy found her third, with an outstanding outside of her boot finish. Fleetwood claimed all three points!
Final Score: Fleetwood Wrens Ladies 3-2 Darwen FC
Player of the match: Mollie Mullender
Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies Development
Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies Development travelled away to take on Preston North End Women's Reserves on Sunday afternoon. It was a competitive game that started well with both teams trying to suss each other out. Fleetwood won a penalty after fifteen minutes when Hardman was clipped in the box. The penalty was calmly dispatched in the bottom corner by Dunning after sending the keeper the wrong way.
Within five minutes, Fleetwood found themselves 2-0 up after a corner taken by Brooks found its way directly into the goal, rewarding with her debut goal for the Cod Army. Fleetwood were relentless and quickly found their third goal as a corner from Baines was met by Jones – who headed it over the keeper and into the back of the net giving her a debut goal. Preston reacted well and in quick succession managed to pull back two goals.
A quick reshuffle for Fleetwood due to injury, Baines managed to find her second assist of the game after feeding Ramsbottom who bagged their fourth. Ramsbottom was quick to return the favour and assisted Baines in getting her first goal for the Club. Going into the second half Fleetwood still had lots to do, with both keepers pulling out fantastic saves throughout and a brilliant penalty save by McLaren kept the score at 2-5.
As the clock ticked closer to 90 minutes, Preston went for it and began to apply more pressure on the visitors. Fleetwood responded well and had countless counter-attacks, but we were unable to make the shots on goal count. Preston managed to grab a third goal, but Fleetwood held strong and solid and managed to see out the game and bring the three points home.
Final score: Preston North End Women 3-5 Fleetwood Development
Player of the match: Courtney Jones