The Coasters are back in action at Mill Farm – a sentence that will be getting a lot of usage in the coming weeks…
Tomorrow’s tie against Chesterfield marks the start of seven out of eight of our next games being at Mill Farm, and the chance for the Coasters to build momentum in both the National League, and FA Trophy.
The visit of Chesterfield will no doubt be a tough test, however, as the Spireites have enjoyed a fortunate upturn in results, as John Sheridan looks to alleviate worries of a third successive relegation for the club.
The Opposition
Name: Chesterfield FC
Form: DDDWDW
Nickname: The Spireites
Ground: Proact Stadium
Position: 20th
Having suffered back-to-back relegations, Chesterfield dropped into the National League this season with the intention of heading straight back to the promised land.
However, as other league clubs have found out to their peril, the league is a tough and often unforgiving one.
After going on a record-breaking undefeated, winless run, Martin Allen eventually left the position of Manager at Chesterfield, with the club looming close to another drop.
John Sheridan took the reins once again in January and has recently seen a positive upturn in results.
One To Watch: Marc Antoine-Fortune
The veteran attacker scored 10 Premier League goals in his time with West Bromwich Albion – but it’s this season that the forward has produced his best haul in English football.
He has six so far this season in the league, which leads Chesterfield’s scoring charts.
Antoine-Fortune has enjoyed his time out against in-form sides recently, scoring against league leaders Solihull Moors, and recent hotshots Ebbsfleet United, in successive weeks.
He’s made just 13 starts, with six appearances from the bench, which makes his goal return even more impressive.
Head-to-Head
This is Chesterfield’s second visit to Mill Farm this season after the Spireites knocked the Coasters out of The FA Cup back in October.
This followed on from a 0-0 draw at the Proact Stadium earlier that month – so the Coasters will be hoping that its third time lucky for the win.
The FA Cup
AFC Fylde 1 – 3 Chesterfield
National League
Chesterfield 0 – 0 AFC Fylde
Third Qualifying Round
Stratford Town 2 – 1 South Shields
From The Coasters Camp
“It’s the time of the year where you have to be able to flit between competitions”@AFCFylde boss Dave Challinor thinks they’ll be able to turn their attention back to league matters this weekend after FA Trophy success#bbclancssport #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/XTdIDl6I7v
— BBC Lancashire Sport (@BBCLancsSport) February 14, 2019
Other Games To Keep An Eye On
Saturday’s National League fixtures see a lot of ‘top versus bottom’ style clashes, where teams chasing the top spot will be expected to take three points.
Havant & Waterlooville v Wrexham
Leyton Orient v Maidenhead United
Salford City v Dover Athletic
League leaders Solihull Moors host our quarter-final opponents Barnet, whilst Harrogate welcome Ebbsfleet United.
Coverage
Coasters fans can follow the action on the radio, with a broadcast from both Fylde Coast Radio, as well as our usual coverage on Twitter.