The Coasters earned their first win of the season against Darlington, after Nick Haughton’s superb strike separated the sides at Mill Farm. 

A quiet game was sprung into life when Haughton sent a left-footed effort past Saltmer and into the net to earn the Coasters three points. 

It was the visitors who had the first attack of the game. William Hatfield got in well down the right, but his cross into the area ran out for a goal kick. 

Darlington started the game well as Sean Reid went close moments later, as he fired a shot wide of Chris Neal’s post. 

New man, Jordan Hulme had his first sniff of goal in a Fylde shirt. He ran in-behind the Darlington defence to hit an effort towards goal; however, his shot was blocked. 

Hulme was in again. This time he unleashed a left-footed shot towards the bottom left corner, though Jonathan Saltmer got down well to deny him. 

In a game which was even in terms of chances. Substitute, Justin Donawa had an effort blocked and the Coasters broke, though Darlington regained possession quick. 

The final chance of the half came for Kurt Willoughby after Luke Burgess slid him in-behind the Darlington defence, Willoughby struck, but Saltmer stood firm to keep him out. 

 

Half-time: AFC Fylde 0-0 Darlington FC

 

The Coasters started the half brightly with Willoughby rattling the bar from a free kick won by Hulme just outside the area. 

Although Fylde came out firing in the second half, Darlington kept pushing for the opener. A corner whipped in from the right fell to Hatfield on the edge of the area, but his shot was blocked. 

The visitors came close again. Reid rose to meet a cross from the right, though his header went just over Neal’s bar. 

Then, the arrival of Nick Haughton sprung the Coasters further into life. Tollitt drove into the area and found Haughton, he struck towards goal, and after a slight deflection, Saltmer did excellently to get down and keep the shot out. 

With 20 minutes to go, Hulme looked to have beaten the offside trap to flash the ball across the face of goal to Haughton who tapped home from close range, but the linesman’s flag was up, and the goal was chalked off. 

Haughton then did what Haughton does. The ball was worked around the pitch after the midfielder’s free kick evaded everyone, Haughton then picked it up inside the area, knocked it onto his left foot to shoot past Saltmer and into the left corner of the goal. 

With ten minutes to go, the Coasters were holding on to what would be their first win of the campaign. 

Donawa tried to find an equaliser for his side as he flashed an effort wide of Neal’s post. 

The Coasters had enough to keep Darlington out, earning Jim Bentley’s side a big three points in the first game of the National League North. 

 

Full Time: AFC Fylde 1-0 Darlington FC