This feature divulges into the past and looks at the success that The Coasters have had since the re-branding as AFC Fylde. This time, we look back on a 1-0 away victory at Stocksbridge Park Steels in the NPL Premier Division from last season….

Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-1 AFC Fylde (30/11/13)

The Coasters managed to scrape a 1-0 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels on a cold November afternoon thanks to a first half goal from Tom Eckersley – who was making his debut for the club.

At the time of this game, Fylde had an extensive injury list and so travelling away to Stocksbridge was always going to be a tough test but fortunately The Coasters managed to pick up the three points.

Many may have thought that given the two teams’ respective league positions that Fylde would simply walk over their Yorkshire opponents but that wasn’t the case, even though the home team only ended the match with nine players.

Before the hosts knew what had hit them, a quick free kick routine resulted in Harry Winter firing home from a couple of yards out, only for it to be ruled out for offside. Winter appeared hard done by, and it did look a little dubious. Nevertheless, the hosts had been rattled.

For the first 15 minutes, Fylde looked good going forward down the left hand side with Sumner and Lloyd. Sumner blazed over from a couple of yards out before Danny Lloyd used his magnificent dribbling skills to take it past a couple of players and he came close to scoring. Unfortunately for Lloyd, his afternoon was ended after 18 minutes because of an ankle injury and so Mark Winslade came on for him. Winslade impressed at times and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

The one moment of quality in this game came just before half time. Defender Tom Eckersley powered a header past the helpless Stocksbridge goalkeeper Jack Ward from a Joe Booth corner. Then came the defining point in the game, which was the first sending off. Brett Bowden-Lovell, the Stocksbridge captain saw red for bringing down Winslade as he was bearing down on goal. After the home side were reduced to 10 men, it was plain sailing for The Coasters although they didn’t manage to add to their score.

Stocksbridge were down to nine men, as just three minutes after coming on, Chris Ovington was sent off for a nasty two footed challenge and he really gave the referee no option but to send him for an early shower. There was still time for another goal to be ruled out for offside, as Coasters substitute Joe Mullen tapped in from an offside position after a good cross in from Denson. Mullen was unlucky to see his attempt chalked off as he looked to be in an onside position when he scored.

In the end it didn’t matter though as The Coasters coasted to victory in what was ultimately a close contest in terms of the score, but not the performances on the pitch.

Coasters XI v Stocksbridge Park Steels:  Hinchliffe, Eckersley, Sumner, M Hughes, Russell, C Hughes, Winter (75), B. Barnes, Booth (68), Lloyd (18), Denson.

Subs: Winslade (18), Fleming (68), Mullen (75), Gregory, Crolla,

 

Let’s hope we can write more history this weekend against Hednesford Town in the FA Trophy!