Hat-trick hero Nick Haughton says AFC Fylde’s opening day win over 10-man Solihull Moors at Mill Farm on Saturday “couldn’t have gone any better.”

The Coasters’ number 10 inspired Chris Beech’s men to victory as they kicked-off their Vanarama National League campaign in the best way possible.

Haughton scored two free-kicks either side of Owen Evans’ own goal and Jack Stevens’ strike for Andy Whing’s Moors, before a left-footed stunner into the top corner to complete the comeback.

Speaking to Coasters TV, Haughton shared his delight after his three goals earned Fylde the three points.

Haughton said: “It couldn’t have gone any better really, I thought we started well and got the early lead. They grew into the game and for the majority of the first-half they were the better team. We went down 2-1 at half-time.

“We came out and I thought we were brilliant in the second-half, got the equaliser to make it 2-2 and I know they went down to 10-men but there was only one team who were going to win that and score the next goal, and that was us, and luckily that was us for the win and three points, so it couldn’t have gone any better.

“I feel great, it’s been a great but tough pre-season, the lads are all ready and it’s nice to score anytime but it’s great to score a hat-trick and help the lads get the three points and move onto Eastleigh.

“For my second goal, I just thought because I’m so close, I was going to have to go underneath the wall as they probably thought I was going to try and dink it over, I’ve never tried it before and it worked a treat, they jumped and it went underneath and the keeper couldn’t get there, it was great in the end.

“My third one, he was trying to show me on my left foot as he thought I was going to cut in on my right, he left me too much room on my left foot and I just swung for it, and the way the day has gone there was only one place it was going and that was in the top corner, so it was a great feeling.”

“The main goal for me personally is to chip in as many goals as I can, that’s what I like to do, score goals and the gaffer feels that’s what I need to do and kick on and take it into this season.”