
AFC Fylde Women start an exciting new chapter on Sunday as Danny Murphy takes charge of his first league game with the visit of York City Ladies FC to Kellamergh Park.
This home fixture takes place on Sunday 2nd February, with kick-off at 2.00 pm.
Returning to league competition for the first time since the winter break, the Coasters are eager to hit the ground running as they aim to climb up the FAWNL Division One North in the second half of the season.
A fortnight ago, AFC Fylde were delighted to announce the appointment of Danny Murphy as the new Women’s First Team Head Coach. In a landmark moment for the Club, Murphy has taken on the first full-time Women’s role in the Club’s history.
After a false start to 2025 with back-to-back postponements, Fylde played their first fixture of the new year on 19th January when they hosted Burnley FC Women in the Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup. Coming up against the current holders of the competition, the Coasters could not avoid defeat to their higher-ranked opposition.
On that occasion, the free-scoring Clarets ran out 5-0 winners courtesy of a brace from Claudia Walker alongside goals from Grace Palmer, Heidi Logan, and Laura Elford. In spite of the defeat, Murphy’s team will have learned a lot from their exploits in the county cup as they look ahead to their next league encounter at the start of February.
Meanwhile, the Coasters have been continuing their hard work on the training ground in preparation for this weekend’s visit of York City Ladies, who sit directly above them in the table.
Emily Senior’s side head into this Sunday’s clash off the back of a thrilling 3-3 draw at Doncaster Rovers Belles last time out. After taking a 3-2 lead, York came within moments of clinching all three points until the Belles bagged a 90th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot to ensure that the spoils were shared.
When the Coasters travelled to the York Sport Stadium for their previous meeting last October, the MinsterBelles claimed all the spoils with a 2-0 win. On that afternoon, the Coasters were left to rue their missed chances, while their more clinical hosts scored twice without reply to register their second win of the campaign.
Katie Astle gave York the early breakthrough after pouncing on a loose ball and finishing from close range. Fylde’s attempts to find an equaliser proved to be in vain, and the MinsterBelles eventually put the result to bed when Astle raced through and slotted home deep in stoppage time.
Almost four months later, the Coasters head into the reverse fixture with plenty of confidence as they finally get back to league action in front of their home supporters.
Words by Scott Jones
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