AFC Fylde vs Leyton Orient

Saturday 17th February, 2018, k/o 3pm

Mill Farm

Vanarama National League

This weekend’s fixture schedule could prove to be pivotal as the race for promotion hots up!

The Coasters welcome Leyton Orient to Mill Farm on Saturday as they look to complete their first league double of the season.

Dave Challinor’s troops stormed the play-offs once again with victory at Gateshead last weekend and will be keen to keep pace with those above, many of whom face each other!

The top two go head-to-head as Aldershot Town welcome league leaders Macclesfield Town, third-placed Wrexham travel to fourth-placed Sutton United, whilst fifth-placed Tranmere host Bromley, who sit in eighth.

Fylde have picked up 23 points from a possible 30 and sit pretty at the top of the form table over the last 10 games in the National League.

The fine form has been in large part down to star striker Danny Rowe, who helped himself to another two goals last time out as the Coasters left the North East with maximum points. Rowe now has 18 league goals to name – the highest in the division – and 24 in all competitions.

This weekend will see the Fylde hitman go up against his main competitor for the Golden Boot award. Orient frontman Macauley Bonne has hit an impressive 15 goals so far this term so prepare for a ‘shoot on sight’ philosophy from the goal-hungry marksmen! 

The O’s made an surprisingly slow start to life in non-league football following their drop from League Two in the summer, however their form has improved recently and they currently sit 17th in the table with 15 points from the last ten games.

Last time out they held promotion hopefuls Tranmere Rovers to a frustrating 1-1 draw. 

The previous meeting between Fylde and Orient back on September saw Challinor’s side grind out a resolute victory.

Two stunning goals from that man Rowe put the Coasters in control and although former Premier League star Jobi McAnuff pulled one back for hosts in the second half, Fylde held on to win 2-1.

Steve Davis was the manager at Brisbane Road at the time, however he has since been replaced by Justin Edinburgh, who has tightened the O’s rearguard.

Edinburgh took over with the east Londoners dangerously close to the bottom four, but they now have a six-point cushion.

Follow all the build-up and live match action via our Facebook page or minute by minute updates on Twitter (@AFCFYLDE)

Fixtures: 
AFC Fylde vs Leyton Orient
Aldershot Town vs Macclesfield Town
Boreham Wood vs Gateshead
Chester vs Eastleigh
FC Halifax Town vs Ebbsfleet United
Guiseley vs Maidenhead United
Hartlepool United vs Woking
Maidstone United vs Barrow
Solihull Moors vs Dover Athletic
Sutton United vs Wrexham
Torquay United vs Dagenham and Redbridge
Tranmere Rovers vs Bromley

Admission:
Seated: Adults: £16 non-member / £13 member
Juniors: £9 non-member / £8 member

Standing: Adults: £13 non-member / £11 member
Juniors: £5 non-member / FREE member

Click here for tickets.