The Coasters fell to defeat at Mill Farm in their latest pre-season test against Wigan Athletic, as preparations towards the 2021/22 National League North campaign continued.
A powerful free-kick from Stephen Humphrys was all that separated the two sides, as AFC Fylde were beaten 1-0 by League One outfit, Wigan Athletic.
Jim Bentley’s side had a few chances of their own through Jack Sampson and Nick Haughton but couldn’t find a breakthrough in what was an entertaining game.
Wigan Athletic were in a free-flowing mood in the opening 15 minutes, leaving the Coasters on the back foot and soaking up unwanted pressure.
However, sixteen minutes in, The Coasters looked to have taken the lead when Jack Sampson found the back of the net after a deflected effort from Sam Osborne, however the strike was quickly ruled out for offside.
The visitors then came close to opening the scoring when Charlie Wyke leapt above the Fylde defence to force Chris Neal into making a tremendous save.
Moments later, the two Luke’s combined when Conlan crossed to Burke at the back post, but he headed just wide of Jamie Jones’ post.
Then, Nick Haughton came close, as he worked his way into the area following a good run down the left flank, though his shot was struck straight into Jones’ arms.
As the first half progressed, both sides struggled to break down each other’s back line, with Edwards going close for Latics minutes before the half-time whistle was blown.
Five minutes after the restart, Wigan’s new-look side took the lead through substitute Stephen Humphrys. David Perkins got the wrong side of Humphrys and brought him down on the edge of the area. He then picked himself up and arrowed a free-kick into the top corner of the goal
Humphrys almost got a second minutes later when he found space inside Fylde’s 18-yard box, however his shot was well-saved by Neal.
The Coasters went searching for a equaliser and went close through Osborne on the hour mark, as he turned into space inside the box, but he couldn’t generate enough power in his effort to trouble Ben Amos.
Fylde continued to attack and had another shot go just wide of the post after 70 minutes, as Emeka Obi failed to find the target with a header from Haughton’s cross.
There was time for one last chance for Jim Bentley’s side, as Ben Tollitt whipped a dangerous cross to Jordan Hulme at the back post, but he couldn’t quite get a toe to the ball, and Wigan Athletic managed to see the friendly out.
AFC Fylde: Neal, Burke (Byrne 86′), Obi, Whitmore (C), Conlan (Nolan 75′), Joyce (Tollitt 75′), Perkins, Osborne (Philliskirk 86′), Haughton, Shaw, Sampson (Hulme 75′).
