Emily Hollingshead’s early strike was enough to see Wolves go out of the FA Cup after a tight affair at CKW stadium.
Fylde started the quickest after a mistake in defence allowed Hollingshead to win the ball high up the field. She was then given the time to put a powerful effort well beyond the keeper from distance.
Wolves had limited chances throughout the half with Fylde being well organised at the back stopping any potential openings for Wolves. Jade Cross went closest for Wolves mid-way into the first-half after she found herself free in the box but her shot just dribbled past the post.
The second-half carried on like the first with few chances for either side, but Wolves continued to press for a goal. Courtney Jones almost found a way through when her well struck free kick from 20 yards was held by Jess Carberry.
Jamila Palmer also had her effort spur wide of the post late on as it turned out to be a frustrating day for Wolves.
Overall, Wolves made a good accounting for themselves against a Fylde side who currently sit in the division above and came away from the game with their heads held high.
REACTION
After the game Wolves manager Dan McNamara was full of praise for Wolves. He said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the girls to be honest, we were absolutely fantastic, and it shows the journey we have been one over the last few weeks. The fact a team doing well in the league above are wasting time for 10 minutes tells the story in itself.
“Second-half we had them, but just couldn’t find the finish or maybe create the opportunity we need. But it’s a steep learning curve for us, we are still aiming to be at that level next year, but one mistake has effectively sent us out of the cup today.
“You can see from the game it was two great teams contesting a great battle and chances are always going to be few and far between especially as you go up the pyramid. So, we made a mistake, they took their chance and we just couldn’t carve them open to create something to get back into the game so no complaints from me.
“I thought we were brilliant and we more than matched Stoke last week and we have more than matched Fylde this week, so massive positives from me and I’m sure we can go and take that into the league and kick on over the next few months.”
COMING UP
The team are still not in league action next weekend as they face an away trip to Solihull Ladies United in the Birmingham County Cup. Wolves then return home to Castlecroft’s CKW Stadium on 15th December to face Long Eaton United in the league.
NEXT FIVE
08/12/19 | Solihull Ladies United (A) BCC
15/12/19 | Long Eaton United (H)
12/01/20 | Lincoln City (A)
02/02/20 | Burton Albion (H)
09/02/20 | Leicester United WFC (A)
TEAMS
Wolves: Elbro, Buck, E. Cross, Price, Widdal, Jones, Wilson (Keitley 61), Bramford (Haynes 80), Barnet (Walker 72), J. Cross, Palmer.
Unused subs: Dicken, Morphet, S. Jennings, Bruton.
Fylde: Pope, Merrin, Rowe, Wild, Carroll, Forster, Redgrave, Hayes (Payton 83), Hollingshead, Stevens (Nkomo 79), Kelsh.
Unused subs: Taylor, Turner, Mitchell.
Report by Jack Dawson
