The Coasters played out a 2-2 draw with Altrincham at Mill Farm in our final pre-season friendly of 2020. 

 

Kurt Willoughby gave Fylde the lead from the spot after being brought down in the area, before Nick Haughton doubled the tally five minutes later. 

The Coasters started brightly, knocking the ball around superbly. The first real chance of the game came for Jim Bentley’s side. Haughton was brought down on the edge of the area by Tom Hannigan, Willoughby stepped up, but fired the set-piece into the car park. 

A few good chances finally led to the first goal of the game. Willoughby was brought down just inside the area following a strong pressing move against the Alty backline. Today’s number nine picked himself up and tucked the penalty into the top corner. 

Altrincham threatened as the returning Matty Kosylo crossed towards Hannigan, but the ball evaded him and ran out of play for a goal-kick. 

Then, the Coasters had a second. Haughton went on one of his trademark mazy runs and unleashed a left-footed effort towards goal. Tony Thompson was left rooted to the spot and watched the ball fly into the top corner. 

HT: AFC Fylde 2-0 Altrincham

As the second half went on, the Coasters were creating many chances. Haughton found Tollitt with a superb cross, but he saw the flag up for offside. 

Altrincham then grabbed a goal back. Kosylo tried his luck from distance, his shot took a massive deflection, leaving Chris Neal helpless in the Fylde goal as the ball hit the back of the net. 

Moments later, the visitors had another. Yusifu Ceesay drifted in from the right flank and into the area, his shot also took a harsh deflection, off Alex Whitmore and bounced over the line to pull the visitors level. 

Looking for an instant reply, Haughton again was causing problems.  He shot from distance, but Altrincham got bodies in the way to block this time.

Luke Conlan found himself in the final third picking a loose pass up. The full back took one touch and hit a venomous shot towards goal, stinging the palms of Thompson, but the Altrincham shot stopper stood firm to deny him. 

In the final moments of the game, the Coasters tried one last time for a winning goal. Junior Mondal lined a free-kick up on the edge of the area, though his shot went well over the bar. 

FT: AFC Fylde 2-2 Altrincham