The sun was out at Coles Lane as the two teams came out onto the pitch. The game got underway and the game was fairly evenly matched in the first 15 minutes, both teams were looking to get a footing in the game. Both teams couldn’t quite breach each other’s defences.
The battles on the pitch was fairly matches all over with Amy Hughes, Hayley Crackle, Faye McCoy, Sophie Tudor, Laura Merrin and Shannon Stamps.
But it was Fylde that took the lead on the 22nd minute while they turned up the pressure minutes before. The ball broke in the box to Jess Holbrook who placed the ball into the back of the net giving Fylde the 0-1 lead.
It looked as if WBA best chance to pull level was to use the pace in behind Fylde. But the goalkeeper, Ellie Etheridge was quick to read this and came off her line to make sure WBA couldn’t get in behind.
West Brom were growing into the game as the half went on but Fylde took a 0-1 lead into the break.
West Brom needed a big second half and on the 48th minute a persistent Leigh Dugmore saw her first effort blocked but finished the second as she ran over to her number one fan to celebrate with the team. West Brom were back on level terms early on.
This obviously kicked on West Brom as by the 51st minute when Shannon Stamps does what Shannon Stamps does. She took aim and fired it at the goal leaving the Fylde keeper no chance making it 2-1 in a turnaround for the home team. Shannon really is a player that can’t be ignored, definitely in her fan club as she always delivers for West Brom.
The Baggies were flying now and had two chances to make it 3-1 with Hayley Crackle nearly connecting to a cross and Abi Lydon having one cleared off the line. But with football as many know when you don’t finish your chances you can get punished.
It was Faye McCoy that spoiled the party of the 57th minute, pulling Fylde back level at 2-2. Water is Wet and Faye scores goals too think you can always depend on.
Both teams were looking for a winner but just as it looked like Amy Hughes had given Fylde the 3 points her effort went just wide on the 78th minute. Said it since her days at Fylde but Amy truly is a player that never gets the true credit she deserves, I could do a whole post about her but always fantastic to see her play. The game played out to a 2-2 draw which over the 90 minutes was a fair result. WBA showing their improvement under Jenny Sugarman throughout the last few games and Fylde proving why they are near the top of the table pushing Wolves.
West Bromwich Albion: – Poppy Bastock, Hayley Crackle, Jess Davies, Isobel Green, Hannah George, Rosie Embley (Kerry Walklett 80), Sophie Tudor (Mariam Mahmood 58), Abi Lydon (Kate Evans 78), Leigh Dugmore, Evie Gallop, Shannon Stamps
Fylde – Ellie Etheridge, Hannah Forster, Olivia Fuller, Jemma Carroll, Jess Holbrook, Emily Hollinshead (Sasha Rowe 71), Laura Merrin, Jodie Redgrave (Kaya Pottinger 93), Hannah Tryer (Alex Taylor 83), Amy Hughes (Mel Bartley 89), Faye McCoy
Photo: @WBAwomen
