The Coasters ended pre-season on a high with a 2-0 win over Sky Bet League Two side Salford City at Mill Farm.
Connor Barrett got the scoring underway when he burst past Luke Garbutt and arrowed into the top corner from just inside the area before Nick Haughton was allowed to travel forward and lace into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
Adam Murray named a strong squad to start the Coasters’ pre-season finale, with many first-teamers returning to the side following a 2-0 win at Charnock Richard earlier in the week.
Fylde were creating various half chances, though it was Salford who nearly found the opener when Theo Richardson was closed down quickly by Matt Smith, with the clearance blocked and travelling towards the back of the net – Richardson scurried back and collected before Danny Philliskirk tried his luck from range and fired well over.
However, from that moment, the Coasters were well on top, with Connor Barrett getting the ball rolling and putting Murray’s men in front. Nick Haughton switched play out to Barrett on the right, who managed to burst past Luke Garbutt, take a touch and arrow into the top corner – a goal that was really pleasing on the eye.
The Coasters were stamping their authority on the game, and one player that was growing into proceedings was Haughton, who got his reward nine minutes later.
After a dominating period of possession, Luke Conlan was allowed to pick an unmarked Haughton out in the pocket, where he turned and ran into acres of space, eventually lining an effort up and lacing past Alex Cairns from 20 yards.
There was a sense from the away end that Salford needed a response, which they almost had through Odin Bailey as he raced through on goal, though he was met by Richardson, who denied the wide man with an outstretched leg before Gold Omotayo couldn’t quite get on the end of a teasing Barrett cross from the right minutes before the break.
Half-Time: AFC Fylde 2-0 Salford City
Numerous Salford changes at the break took the tempo out of the game for a little while until Jon Ustabasi was brought down on the left by Curtis Tilt. That allowed Haughton to whip one towards the far corner, with Adrian Mariappa there to head off the line and deny a Coasters third.
That was before Danny Philliskirk won possession back and nodded into space for Whitehead to set Haughton on the edge of the area. He opted to pick Conlan out with a clever flick for him to spot Barrett at the back post, who took one touch and curled over.
It wasn’t a half blessed with as many chances as the first, and Salford were able to create an opening of their own in the second 45 when Callum Hendry played a smart one-two with Elliot Watt on the edge of the area to set himself for a shot that deflected wide of Richardson’s post.
Connor McAleny was then able to weave his way through the middle third and win a free-kick around 25 yards from goal. Luke Garbutt bent his run and stepped up but found the palms of Richardson in the Fylde goal.
Full-Time: AFC Fylde 2-0 Salford City
AFC Fylde: Richardson, Obi, Davis (86’ Walker), Bird, Conlan, Barrett (81’ Evans), Philliskirk (89’ Trialist B), Whitehead, Ustabasi (71’ Glynn), Haughton (81’ Trialist A), Omotayo (71’ Charman).
Unused Subs: Sargeant, Hatfield, O’Kane, Ligendza.
Salford City: Cairns, Shepherd, Garbutt, Tilt, Mariappa, Watt, Watt, Watson (46’ Vassell), Lund (46’ Ashley), Bailey (46’ Mallen), McLennan (McAleny), Smith (46’ Hendry).
Unused Subs: Wright, Berkoe, Leak.
