All three of Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies teams were in action over the weekend, with the Reserves picking up three vital points in their clash against Haslingden.
The First Team were back in action this weekend as they took on Tranmere Rovers at Ellesmere Sports Village. It was a tight affair from start to finish, with both teams having dangerous attacks in the early exchanges.
With it being end to end, it was the hosts who found the back of the net first on fifteen minutes. It was a strike that not much the keeper could do, but Town reacted well and pulled one back from the penalty spot – which Ellie Parkinson slotted home from 12-yards.
The game was an end-to-end thriller, with both Tranmere and Fleetwood creating fantastic chances, and Town were very close to finding the winner, but the strike was saved. Moments change games, and the hosts put themselves back in front.
The ladies came out fighting in the second half, the efforts across the pitch were brilliant and the work rate was fantastic, but unfortunately the First Team couldn't find that second goal!
Plenty of positivises to take from the game, with Emily Slater claiming Player of the Match for her amazing performance!
It was back on home soil for the Reserves, who welcomed Haslingden Ladies to the Fylde Coast. It was a fantastic challenge for those involved with Haslingden being at the top end of the table last campaign.
The Ladies started off well. They had great spells of possession and created great danger on attacks, but what was lacking for the team was that clinical edge in the final third.
The visitors opened the deadlock first with a well taken goal in the first half despite Town’s dominance, but the themed continued with Fleetwood not being able to take their chances.
Haslingden found themselves with an opportunity to extend their lead, however they were unable to convert the penalty awarded to them. As half time loomed, the Wrens Ladies continued to create endless chances, being unlucky not to find the back of the net.
The visitors did find their second goal after a fantastic strike, and as the first half drew to a close, the ladies found themselves 2-0 down at the break.
The second half kicked off and the ladies knew what they had to do, and with the relentless attacking play, it finally paid off with Ruby Farrell heading the ball into the back of the net to get Fleetwood on the score sheet!
The ladies built on this momentum, and it wasn't long before captain Emily McCarthy converted her chance and got the ladies back on levels terms – was the comeback on?
Every time the ladies attacked, it looked dangerous as they truly asserted their dominate across all areas of the pitch, taking control of the game.
Unfortunately, a questionable decision from the referee allowed Haslingden a chance back into the game and to take the lead once more after converting the penalty they were awarded!
The Ladies fought back! Determined to get something from the game and with a handball awarded to Fleetwood, with McCarthy stepped up for the penalty and put the ladies again back level with the visitors! A point wasn't enough and with ten minutes to go, the ladies continued to apply the pressure, and attack after attack, and it wasn't long before Emily McCarthy found her third of the game.
With Fleetwood coming out with a truly deserved three points, and McCarthy picked up the Player of the Match award, it was the perfect day for the Cod Army!
The Development Squad were back on the road as they travelled over to Buckshaw Village to take on Euxton ladies!
The Ladies were unlucky as the hosts managed to find themselves in front, however the hard work and great football finally paid off with Ruby Hindle finding the back of the net for Fleetwood, giving the ladies all to play for.
A challenge in the box saw Fleetwood awarded a penalty, in which Siobhan Fryer was able to convert - giving the ladies the lead! Euxton reacted and managed to find the back of the next with two great goals! Giving the hosts a 3-2 lead at half time, but Fleetwood were very much in it!
The second half got under way and Fleetwood seemed to lose control of the game in a short spell of madness, with the home side managing to convert four chances in quick concession!
A tough defeat to take with lots of lessons to learn from. We go again next week - Sophie Hague & Hindle were given the Players of the Match award for their efforts.
