Town Women return to league action against promotion chasing Fylde Women
- Terriers looking to get third consecutive win and clean sheet
- Wednesday 30 March; 7:45pm at Mill Farm
- Image courtesty of Richard Asquith
Just three days on from Town Women’s 3-0 win against West Brom Women, they are back in league action as they travel to the west coast on Wednesday 30 March.
They face a Fylde side who currently sit in third place in the FAWNL and have an eye on the promotion places. Town Women find themselves in fifth place on 35 points, just six points behind their opponents and with a game in hand. Therefore, an away win could give Town the chance to move up a place to fourth and be within striking distance of Fylde.
Coming into this fixture ‘the Coasters’ are recovering from their heavy defeat to Burnley. A close, 1-0 victory against bottom-placed Hull saw the west coast side return to winning ways. Before this blip, Fylde had been unbeaten in the league since early November. Meanwhile, Town Women travel to Mill Farm following two straight clean sheet wins in league and cup.
This momentum is something that the team are looking to maintain says Danny Alogba:
“Fylde are a different test in comparison to WBA and after our first fixture earlier on in the season we are preparing for a physical battle, in which we know if we play to our strengths we will come out on top.”
Commenting on Town Women’s current defensive record, goalkeeper coach Luke Haigh sees the game as a tough test:
“Fylde are a very strong side, and we will have to be at our very best to get a result against them. I live for clean sheets and so does [goalkeeper] Bethan Davies. I would rather win a game 2-0 than 7-2. Our defence starts from the front. A strong defence is the foundation to a strong team.”
The previous meeting between the sides saw AFC Fylde’s second league loss of the season when a newly appointed Glen Preston saw his first game back in charge end with a dominant 3-0 win at the Stafflex Arena. Goals from Ria Montgomery, Laura Elford and Kate Mallin meant that Preston’s return was a happy one, and kickstarted the three-month unbeaten run.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Scoring a brace against West Brom, Brittany Sanderson will be looking to extend her lead as HTAFC Women’s top goalscorer this season. Her 18 goals stand just two ahead of forward Laura Elford who played her first full game since returning from injury last weekend.
Bethan Davies has been impressing at the other end, making several crucial saves against the Baggies, including a close-range fingertip save to force the ball onto the crossbar. The goalkeeper will be looking to secure her third consecutive clean sheet.
Fylde’s Faye McCoy is never shy of finding the back of the net. She sits as the opposition’s top scorer with 19 goals. Town Women will also have to watch out for Amy Hughes, who has been on the scoresheet regularly in Fylde’s last six games.
HOW TO WATCH HTAFC WOMEN
Town fans are able to watch HTAFC Women in action at AFC Fylde’s home ground at Mill Farm. Tickets can be purchased online - visit AFC Fylde’s website for more information - or on the gate. Prices are £5 for Adults and U16 Juniors £2.
Can’t make the game? As always, online coverage of the match will be available across all HTWFC channels, including minute-by-minute updates on Twitter - @HTAFCWomen - plus match build up on Instagram. Highlights will also be released following the game for fans to catch up on the action.
