Match Report: Ancients Pick Up First League Victory
AFC Fylde vs Norton & Stockton Ancients
By Jordan Clarke
Norton & Stockton Ancients picked up their first league victory of the campaign with a hard fought victory at AFC Fylde.
Chris Burton made two changes to the starting lineup that beat Doncaster Rovers Belles in the FAWNL Plate last weekend, with Danielle Nanga making her first start in midfield and Rachel Chisnall named in between the sticks in place of the unavailable Kelsie Moore.
The hosts started the better side, and called Chisnall into action on a number of occasions early on, but the shot-stopper was equal to a couple of weak efforts aimed towards her.
Fylde had two major chances around the 20 minute mark, first of which seeing Alex Sanchez’s header rebound off the crossbar, and mere moments later, Hollie Kelsh-Ridge had a curled effort from outside the area bounce off the crossbar and to the feet of Karri Chan who was denied very well by Chisnall.
Norton grew into the game before the break and nearly found a golden opportunity when Louise Atkinson fed a ball through to Eve Marshall inside the area but the attacker couldn’t control the pass and the chance went missing.
Half-time: AFC Fylde 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients
The Ancients had a huge chance to take the lead eight minutes after the restart when Bianca Owens connected with a corner but saw her goalwards shot blocked on the line by a white shirt.
As Norton continued to cause problems, Georgia Rae was next to see a header from a corner saved by the goalkeeper.
But in the 78th minute, Chris Burton’s side found a lead. It was a moment of magic on the left-wing from Louise Atkinson as she twisted and turned beating the Fylde player a couple of times before delivering an inch-perfect cross which found the head of Eve Marshall who powered into the top corner to give Norton the lead.
Despite falling behind, and thanks to the help of a strong Norton backline, Fylde struggled to cause concern for Rachel Chisnall in between the sticks, and the Ancients held out to secure all three points in Lancashire.
Full-time: AFC Fylde 0-1 Norton & Stockton Ancients
Goal Scorer: Eve Marshall
Player of the Match: Georgia Rae
Norton & Stockton Ancients: Rachel Chisnall, Kate McGuire, Georgia Rae, Vicki Burton, Lucy Jamieson (Annaleigh Wynn 89’), Chloe West, Shannon Reed (Ash Coyle 73’), Danielle Nanga, Louise Atkinson, Bianca Owens (C), Eve Marshall
Unused Sub: Annie Mitchell
Norton now prepare for a midweek home league clash against Durham Cestria before a tough trip to Loughborough Lightning on Sunday in the next round of the FAWNL Plate.