Dover Athletic 5 – 1 AFC Fylde
Poleon 37, Effiong 44’, 78’, Yussuf 74’, Taylor 89’ – Walker 6’
Att: 1,027
AFC Fylde slumped to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of playoff-chasing Dover down in Kent.
New signing Tyler French made his debut at centre-back, but it was an afternoon to forget for him and the Coasters.
Tom Miller also made his first start since joining until the end of the season, as the Coasters lined up in a back five.
Everything started according to plan for Jim Bentley’s side, as the Coasters were awarded a penalty six minutes in.
As Jamie Proctor battled for the ball with the Dover defenders, a stray hand made contact with the ball – and referee Ryan Atkin pointed to the spot.
Tom Walker stood up and powered his penalty into the net, sending Maynard Brewer the wrong way.
The Whites stepped up a gear, and after being limited to corners and free-kicks, soon equalised.
A cross from the right-hand side picked out on loan forward Dominic Poleon, who composed himself before firing a smart effort crashing off of the post and in.
The Coasters looked to settle and go in level at the break, but a second penalty of the half was about to be awarded.
Lewis Montrose tussled with Rooney in the box during a free-kick, bringing him down and offering Effiong the chance to score from 12 yards.
His penalty was a calm and composed one, opting for a perfectly weighted strike down the middle, which Sam Hornby couldn’t stop.
HALF-TIME: Dover Athletic 2 – 1 AFC Fylde
The second half got underway, and the Coasters started well – and felt aggrieved after a decision by referee Ryan Atkin.
After a quick counterattack saw Jamie Proctor through on goal, an advantage was played for a foul on Jordan Williams.
However, the advantage was then called back for the foul as he picked out Croasdale, who dutifully finished into the bottom corner.
Tom Walker fired the resulting free-kick into the wall, however the Coasters players showed their frustration at the decision.
A double change was made by AFC Fylde, with Philliskirk and Yeates joining the fray in place of French and Montrose.
The Coasters switched to a more traditional 442 formation – and it nearly paid off, as Yeates’ near post cross was almost turned home by Williams.
With eighteen minutes to go, referee Ryan Atkin awarded the third penalty of the game, for what appeared to be a very soft decision.
Paul Rooney was at the heart of it again, as he was judged to have been fouled by Tom Miller – although in truth, there appeared to be very little in it.
Effiong stepped up looking to dispatch his second of the afternoon – however this time Sam Hornby guessed the right way
However, Hornby’s save rebounded back into play, and a blend of Effiong and Yussuf bundled it over the line, with the latter credited with the goal.
This saw a capitulation for the Coasters, with Effiong racing through on goal soon after to slide it past Sam Hornby and make it 4-1.
With the game ambling to a close, Dover added a fifth – with substitute Bobby-Joe Taylor sweetly volleying Woods’ cross, giving Hornby no chance.
It was a rude awakening for the Coasters who had been unbeaten in four games on the road, with manager Jim Bentley branding the performance “embarrassing, and unacceptable.”
To watch Jim’s full interview, click here.
Teams
Dover: Maynard-Brewer, Simpson, De Havilland, Rooney, Ogie, Munns, Woods, L’Ghoul (Taylor 79’), Effiong, Poleon (Yusuff 71’), Modeste (Rigg 83’).
Subs not used: Reason, Cumberbatch.
AFC Fylde: Hornby, Montrose (Yeates 62’), Byrne, Whitmore, Croasdale, Proctor, Williams, Burke, Miller, Walker, French (Philliskirk 62’).
Subs not used: Lavercombe, Jameson, Kosylo.
