AFC Fylde’s relegation to the National League North was confirmed on Friday as Fylde fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Halifax Town.
A first half strike from Ryan Galvin proved the difference on the Fylde Coast as Fylde’s fate was sealed.
The visitors stamped their presence early with a great bit of play down the left wing with Angelo Cappello causing all sorts of problems.
Halifax goalkeeper Toby Savin was tested for the first time with a one-on-one with Will Hugill, with the shaymen keeper scooping the ball out of Hugill’s possession.
A Halifax free kick was awarded just outside the box and after the ball was headed across goal, Galvin was on hand to tap home.
Minutes later, another free kick was drawn in a similar position. The ball was whipped in, however was well-cleared by Ethan Mitchell.
The Coasters gave away another free kick, this time on the edge of the box. The ball was struck well by Florent Hoti but was saved by a Ben Winterbottom dive to his right.
The second half got underway, and Halifax continued their momentum with Luca Thomas hitting a strike which hammered the Coasters’ bar.
Halifax’s Angelo Capello worked his way down the wing and into the box and looked to edge past Owen Evans but the referee awarded a free kick in the opposite direction.
Halifax again found themselves on the edge of the box with a free kick. A powerful strike into the bottom right of the net was denied again by a brilliant Winterbottom save.
Fylde had their first real sight of goal with ten minutes left to play as Owen Evans got to the byline and drilled a ball across. Charlie Jolley looked ready to tap home but his effort deflected off teammate Ash Boatswain and bounced over.
Four minutes were added as Fylde pushed for an equaliser, but their fate was sealed as they fell to a fifth straight defeat in the National League.
AFC Fylde: Winterbottom, Bardell (Riley 33′), Whelan (C), Davis, Evans (Ormerod 80′), Mitchell, Hugill, Massey (Boatswain 62′), McFadden (Jolley 57′), Haughton, Ustabasi (Sassi 45′)
Subs not used: Clark, Long
