Jim Bentley’s Coasters defeated at Mill Farm by Notts County.

 

Jordan Williams levelled things up for Fylde after Enzio Boldewijn gave Notts an early lead, but the second half saw Adam Long net the winner from a corner. 

Bentley recalled Jamie Proctor into his starting XI to face Notts County, in what was the third attempt at staging the Vanarama National League match. The striker was a substitute for the FA Trophy clash against Harrogate Town at the weekend. Tyler French was on the bench along with Mark Yeates, following starts for the pairing at the weekend as Tom Walker was given a start.

It was left-winger Williams who had the first effort on goal. Driving towards the penalty area he hit a low effort on target, well saved by Joe McDonnell in the County net. Just moments after, Tom Walker came close only to see his effort also turned away. 

However, Fylde were to pay for missed chances as Notts took the lead. Following a decision to award the visitors a free-kick, Boldewijn hit a low effort that bobbled into the back of the net.

The response though, was imminent. After a long ball forward, Kurt Willoughby chested it down to strike-partner Proctor. He then looked up and fizzed a ball wide to Williams. The winger then took a touch, went forward and smashed home a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

It was then all Fylde. Willoughby, as lively as ever, came within inches of scoring seeing his effort go behind for a corner before both Williams and then Tom Walker came close. 

Despite the best efforts and fight of Jim Bentley’s side, we went in level at the whistle.

HALF TIME: AFC Fylde 1-1 Notts County

The second half began in a similar fashion to how the Coasters ended the first, on top. Efforts were flying towards goal with Luke Burke trying to recreate his effort from the weekend, before Willoughby once again came to life, surging forward with the ball and curling an effort off the post. 

Sam Hornby was called into action at the other end as second half substitute Jim O’Brien unleashed a lovely volley, but the ‘keeper was equal to it and tipped it onto the bar to the amazement of most inside Mill Farm.

However, with just over 10 minutes remaining, the winning goal was to arrive and it came from the visitors. In a performance where Fylde had created chance after chance and shown some really nice football, they were hit from a set-piece. Defender, Adam Long headed home from O’Brien’s accurate corner to make give the Notts the lead. 

It was now into last-chance saloon and with six minutes of added time signalled from the fourth official, there remained an air of optimism around Mill Farm as it was clear to see the Coasters could create chances. Two further saves from McDonnell denied both Walker and Burke again, before the final whistle blew to inflict another defeat. 

FULL TIME: AFC Fylde 1-2 Notts County