AFC Fylde 3 Kettering Town 2: Hotshot Haughton maintains perfect record

Danny Philliskirk and Jordan Hulme cancelled out a Connor Kennedy strike and Decarrey Sheriff penalty.

And it was the in-form Nick Haughton who had the last laugh, beating Adam Collin with a signature curling effort on 89 minutes to seal all three points for the hosts.

AFC Fylde’s return to National League North action was long-awaited, 18 days after their last league outing at Gateshead.

Since then, Bentley’s side have featured in two rounds of the FA Cup, beating Farsley Celtic and Altrincham.

This was also AFC Fylde’s first fixture without manager Jim Bentley present. The Coasters boss has entered a period of self-isolation ahead of his heart operation next week.

Managerial duties have been left in the hands of assistant manager Nick Chadwick, who made two changes to the team that started in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Altrincham.

New loan signing Jack Sanders replaced the injured Nathan Pond, and Junior Mondal came in for Luke Burgess, who has been recalled by parent club Salford City.

The match began in a frantic manner, with AFC Fylde putting the visitors under immediate pressure.

Mondal had the first opportunity of the game. With one minute on the clock, some good play down the left wing saw Luke Conlan and Ben Tollitt combine before a low cross found an unmarked Mondal in the six-yard box. The young winger’s effort drew a good save from Adam Collin between the Kettering sticks.

After five minutes the visitors had their first opening. The lively Josh Oyinsan led the line on the night and he managed to latch on to a long, hopeful goal-kick and get a shot away which passed harmlessly wide

Next to try his luck was Fylde's experienced midfielder David Perkins, who tried an ambitious 30-yard volley after six minutes but again it failed to trouble the goalkeeper.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the tempo of the game never dropped. Ten minutes in it was Haughton who nearly broke the deadlock, his left-footed effort curling a yard over the crossbar.

On 25 minutes Haughton was at it again, this time pulling the trigger from a free-kick 30 yards out. His effort beat the wall but didn’t dip in time to test the goalkeeper.

It was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play. On the half-hour mark, number eight Connor Kennedy pushed the ball out of his feet and unleashed a powerful effort which swerved away from keeper Chris Neal and found the back of the net.

Despite AFC Fylde’s domination after the goal, The Coasters failed to carve out any clear-cut opportunities and headed in at half-time trailing 1-0.

Chadwick’s words at half-time were clear : “Keep the tempo up and we will get our rewards.”

Those words were fresh in the players’ minds as the second half began and The Coasters began to get bodies forward in search of an equaliser.

The first big moment came on 60 minutes, when Kurt Willoughby went down after a late challenge in the box, but to the outrage of Fylde's staff the striker was penalised for simulation and booked.

After 65 minutes, the goal that Fylde had been looking for arrived. It was courtesy of Danny Philliskirk, his first of the season.

Some good play on the right by Haughton released Philliskirk in the penalty area and his calm finish left Collin with no chance.

AFC Fylde nearly got their noses in front with 69 minutes gone through Tollitt. Some fast counter-attacking football gave Tollitt the chance to get a shot away but Collin pulled off a remarkable save to divert the ball on to the crossbar.

With the home side in the ascendancy, it was a refereeing decision that halted their momentum.

A soft penalty was awarded to Kettering on 73 minutes and Decarrey Sheriff converted it confidently.

The home side refused to lie down, though, and it was Fylde’s number nine who provided the perfect response.

Hulme brought Philliskirk’s hopeful cross down expertly and a typical finish pulled his side level again.

Both sides battled hard for the remainder of the game until Nick Haughton’s precise finish stole the headlines.

Haughton found space on the left wing and managed to weave inside the Kettering full-back on to his favoured right foot.

From there he worked the space to pull the trigger. His curling effort left the impressive Collin helpless in goal and made sure AFC Fylde’s winning habit remained intact.

This was a sixth straight win in all competitions this season and their third in the league, lifting them to second place, behind Gloucester City on goal difference.

Fylde: Neal, Burke, Conlan, Whitmore, Tollitt (Sampson 79), Philliskirk, Hulme, Haughton, Mondal (Willoughby 55), Sanders, Perkins; Subs not used: Shaw, Lussey, Ogle

Kettering: Collin, Stohrer, McGrath, Milnes, Fryatt, Graham, Scott, Kennedy, Oyinsan (Jones 57), Stephens (Bickley 70), Sheriff; Subs not used: Richens, Chisholm, Acquaye

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here