The Shots came out the traps fast in the first half almost scoring with there first attack of the game, Tolaj was played in on goal and just shot wide of the post, unlucky not to score but Theo Richardson had it covered in the Fylde goal. Aldershot had large control of the game in the early exchanges, enjoying great amounts of possession however not giving Tolaj anything to work with and most of the possession coming to nothing.
Fylde’s first chance came in the 7th minute after a great driving run from Connor Barrett saw him fouled around 30 yards out from the hosts goal. Haughton managed to get his free kick on target however it was a comfortable save for Van Stappershoef. As time grew on in the game, so did Fylde and especially Josh Kay enjoying great joy down the right hand side and delivering some great balls into the box which Danny Ormerod was unlucky not to get on the end of.
The referee handed out the first yellow card of the night on the 19th minute to Jon Ustabasi after a tackle from behind halted an Aldershot attack, which could have been deemed unlucky for the winger as this was his first involvement with the referee on the night. With the game swinging in the favour of Fylde, Alderhost tried to interrupt Fylde’s passage of play and it turned into a bit of a dogfight in the midfield. This led to Josh Barrett going down in the 22nd minute who was then replaced with hotshot Josh Stokes.
Despite the change, Fylde domination continued and that domination was rewarded with a goal on the 27th minute from Jon Ustabasi who converted after a Nick Haughton corner. From the goal, Fylde continued and pressed on for more goals, this second goal came in the 32nd minute winner. Ormerod did well against the Shots centre back and managed to play in Josh Kay and smashed the ball into the bottom corner. The Shots centre back Harries made his comments about the goal known to the referee and the referee produced a red card which added an even sour note for the Shots fans.
With the Coasters absolutely flying in the Hampshire night, nothing could stop them and this was seen as a 3rd goal went in 5 minutes after the second. Max Conway drilled the ball into Haughton who took one touch before smashing the ball low and hard into the goal leaving Fylde fans in dream land and on course for a 3rd away in a row. The patterns of Coasters domination carried on until the half ended with Jon Ustabasi forcing a great save out of Van Stappershoef who despite all of his efforts was not at fault for any of the goals. The half ended shortly after Aldershot created their first real chance where Tolaj linked up with Stokes who was unfortunate to see his strike come off the bar. However the Coasters went into halftime with a 3 goal advantage and a man advantage.
Half-time: Aldershot Town 0-3 AFC Fylde
The second half started with Aldershot making an attacking change bringing on Thomas for the already booked Widdrington, this seemed to make the Shots more open to Fylde attacks and was a gamble that did not pay off. Josh Kay started the second half just like he finished the first and was unlucky not to win a penalty and was booked for his protests. However, Kay did find the net once again on the 51st minute after great work down the left hand side by Jon Ustabasi, Kay’s strike went in off of the post and sent the Coasters 4 goals to the good.
With a man advantage beginning to show, Fylde knocked the ball about with confidence and class which you would expect from a title chasing team and not one fighting relegation, this confidence was breeding all over the pitch with Haughton unlucky not to add a 5th after a superb header which was once again denied by Van Stappershoef. On the 60th minute the Coasters made a double change with Connor Barrett and Jon Usatabasi making way for Bryce Hosannah and Ashley Hunter.
Fylde continued to dominate the ball and Aldershot seemed to just give the Coasters space wherever they could which allowed Fylde to just enjoy possession with no pressure. However, manager Tommy Widdrington would not have been happy with this as he made a change in the midfield which made a slight difference as it stopped the Coasters dominance for a few minutes. Fylde had the ball in the net once again on the 77th minute through Joe Westley which was unfortunately deemed offside after great work from Bryce Hosannah.
Hosannah impressed on the right hand side on his debut and continued to create chances which unfortunately for him and Fylde came to nothing. With the game petering out, Fylde did add a fifth through Westley who finished after a brilliant header across the box from Danny Ormerod which significantly boosted the coasters goal difference. With 4 minutes added on the Coasters kept the ball and apart from an Ashley Hunter shot, nothing else happened in the added time.
With a clean sheet and 3 points once again, Fylde will certainly be looking on an upwards trajectory rather than downwards.
Full time: Aldershot Town 0-5 AFC Fylde.