AFC Fylde 2 Boston United 1: Blackpool loanee Nathan Shaw nets winner as Coasters hit back from behind

Fylde came from behind to return to winning ways in National League North and move within three points of top spot.
Liam Nolan celebrates his equaliser against Boston  Picture: STEVE MCLELLANLiam Nolan celebrates his equaliser against Boston  Picture: STEVE MCLELLAN
Liam Nolan celebrates his equaliser against Boston Picture: STEVE MCLELLAN
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Liam Nolan scored his first goal for the club before Blackpool loanee Nathan Shaw condemned Boston to a first league defeat of the season.

Nick Chadwick made one change to the team that suffered Tuesday’s last-gasp equaliser at Leamington as Jack Sanders replaced injured captain Nathan Pond.

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This game had been postponed a fortnight earlier due to Covid in the camp at Boston. Their only other game this month had been abandoned due to injury with three minutes remaining against Darlington, with the Pilgrims leading 2-0.

Having had to settle for one point from their previous two games, the home side started positively, making forays into the Boston area without being able to forge any clear-cut chances.

However, the visitors then moved onto the front foot and took the lead in the 20th minute.

Terry Hawkridge cut in from the left wing, and although his drive was saved by Chris Neal the rebound fell invitingly for Jordan Burrow, who turned the ball home at the back post.

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Jordan Hulme almost provided an immediate response for The Coasters as the striker raced on to Nick Haughton’s clever flick over the defence but keeper Ross Fitzsimons did well to keep his low shot out.

Tempers flared around the 40-minute mark after the strong challenge by new Boston signing Mitch Rose in midfield. The Coasters felt the tackle deserved more than the yellow card it received as they left the field at half-time trailing 1-0.

Haughton came closest to levelling the scores early in the second period with a thunderous strike from distance. He moved inside onto his right foot but his dipping shot did not quite come down enough and struck the crossbar.

The hosts were level on 54 minutes, when the ball fell to midfielder Nolan 25 yards out. He struck hard and low to the keeper’s left and his shot found the net via a slight deflection.

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The Coasters began to gather momentum but suffered a big blow just past the hour mark, when Haughton pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Blackburn Rovers loanee Luke Brennan.

Boston’s first real chance of the second half came from a goalmouth scramble, when a fantastic Danny Philliskirk block deflected the ball over for a corner.

Fylde hit the front of 64 minutes as Hulme did well to beat a man down the left and play the ball across the face of goal for Shaw to scoredfrom close range.

The visitors didn’t hold back as they looked to keep their unbeaten record intact, bringing on all three substitutes for the final 10 minutes.

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Even so, The Coasters pushed forward to stretch their lead and Shaw’s cross was turned wide by substitute Brennan at the near post.

The hosts continued to threaten on the counter as Boston committed men forward and Brennan had an unsuccessful penalty appeal when he was first to Hulme’s smart flick.

Despite the best efforts of the visitors, the five minutes of added time passed with no significant incident.

A good day for The Coasters was completed by news that leaders Gloucester City had lost to Farsley Cletic by the same score, though third-placed Fylde remain behind Kidderminster Harriers on goal difference ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Bradford (Park Avenue).

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Fylde: Neal, Burke, Conlan, Nolan, Whitmore, Tollitt, Philliskirk, Sanders, Shaw (Lussey 90), Haughton (Brennan 62), Hulme (Willoughby 87); subs not used: Byrne, Mondal.

Boston: Fitzsimons, Tootle, Duxbury, Garner, Shiels, Green, Burrow, Dimaio, Hawkridge (Thewlis 80), Rose (Rollins 80), Preston (Leesley 80); Subs not used: Crook, Thanoj.

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