AFC Fylde 2 Oxford City 1: Second-half fightback gives Coasters three points

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
AFC Fylde returned to winning ways with a victory which saw their visitors relegated from the National League top flight.

The Coasters enjoyed plenty of early pressure and had the game’s first chance through Danny Ormerod before Danny Whitehead’s through ball narrowly eluded Joe Westley.

Fylde’s pressure led to multiple shots at the Oxford goal, though none troubled keeper Tom Watson.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At the other end, a last-ditch tackle on 12 minutes thwarted Tafari Moore as he progressed towards the Fylde goal.

Oxford City keeper Tom Watson is unable to keep out Nick Haughton's free-kick that gave AFC Fylde victory in their National League meeting at Mill Farm Picture: Steve McLellanOxford City keeper Tom Watson is unable to keep out Nick Haughton's free-kick that gave AFC Fylde victory in their National League meeting at Mill Farm Picture: Steve McLellan
Oxford City keeper Tom Watson is unable to keep out Nick Haughton's free-kick that gave AFC Fylde victory in their National League meeting at Mill Farm Picture: Steve McLellan
Read More
AFC Fylde 1 Wealdstone 2: Mill Farm visitors leave with victory

Two minutes later, however, the visitors led through top scorer Josh Parker as a well-worked solo goal saw him take the ball past Sam Graham and fire beyond Coasters keeper Theo Richardson.

Connor Barrett was a threat down the right for Fylde, who saw Nick Haughton shoot wide in the 34th minute.

Moments later, good work from Westley forced the Oxford defence to be at their best to clear the ball and prevent Jon Ustabasi from a tap-in.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Five minutes before half-time, Ethan Mitchell released Ormerod who also sent an effort off target as Fylde trailed at the break.

With the weather turning for the worse during the second half, both teams gave it their all in looking to find the net.

Neither keeper was tested before Fylde equalised on the hour, Westley expertly converting from Haughton’s pass.

Then, with a little more than 10 minutes of normal time remaining, a free-kick was awarded to Fylde and Haughton found the top corner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Good work from Westley gave Haughton another sight of goal but he fired wide of the target on that occasion.

Fylde’s substitutes almost combined late on with Bryce Hosannah coming close to finding Ash Hunter as the Coasters looked for a third goal.

However, two goals were enough for three points which saw Chris Beech’s players climb to 13th in the National League table.

They have a five-point cushion to the relegation places ahead of the Easter matches against Oldham Athletic and Gateshead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

AFC Fylde: Richardson, Davis (Long 89), Graham, Conway, Mitchell, Barrett, Whitehead, Haughton, Ustabasi (Hunter 83), Westley, Ormerod (Hosannah 69). Subs not used: Adshead, O’Kane.

Oxford City: Watson, Ashby, Roddy (Coyle 25), Fleet, Roberts, Greenslade, Parker, Humphrey-Ewers (Birtwistle 52) Moore, Kabongolo, O’Connell. Subs not used: Phillips, Potter, Krasniqi.

News you can trust since 1873
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice