Fleetwood Town Wrens Ladies had two teams in action over the weekend with the Reserves coming out on top in their league clash against Penwortham Town at Common Edge.
Starting the weekly report with the aforementioned result, the Reserves hosted the game over in Blackpool and finally got their 2024 underway after not being able to play last week due to an unplayable pitch. This game, however, saw a battle from the off as both sides produced attacking football throughout the game.
The Wrens were unlucky not to find the back of the net in the first half, having created numerous gilt-edged chances, but it wasn’t long until they did break the deadlock and set themselves on their way to getting three points on the afternoon. It was a set-piece that led to the opener as Charmaine Cardwell nodded in at the back post to make it 1-0.
With a goal to their name, the Ladies then pushed for a second and, after a great piece of interplay, it was the Player of the Match Louise Stritch who managed to find the back of the net, therefore securing the points for Town. Overall, a good defensive display, two good goals, and a clean sheet so there was nothing to complain about!
Moving on to the Development Squad now who welcomed second in the league, Wigan Athletic, to Brews Park on Sunday afternoon, which was always going to be a challenge for the Ladies, but one that they were well up for.
It was a battle, with both sides going toe-to-toe with each other from the first whistle, meaning it was relentless in terms of effort put in by both sides but, unfortunately, it was the visitors that found the net first in the clash. Even though the Ladies pressed for an equaliser ahead of the break, it wasn’t quite happening for them.
Wigan then doubled their lead just after the restart which, in fairness to the Ladies, didn’t dishearten them as they were still in the game. As the hour mark approached, forward Ruby Hindle was taken down in the box meaning a penalty was awarded, with Siobhan Fryer stepping up to fire past the goalkeeper and halve the deficit.
Even with all the efforts put in by the Wrens, as Jordan O’Neill went close and Phoebe Hutchinson struck just over the bar with an audacious volley, it just wasn’t meant to be on the day, but there were many positives to take from the performance. The Ladies gave it everything and Jess Smith was named Player of the Match.