AFC Fylde boss Jim Bentley ready for tough league opener against Darlington and faces FA Cup test at Farsley

AFC Fylde boss Jim Bentley believes no-one at the club should take promotion as a given when they begin their new league season on Tuesday.
Luke Burgess celebrates Fylde's fourth and final goal in the FA Cup win at Hyde United with fellow scorer Ben Tollitt  Picture: STEVE MCLELLANLuke Burgess celebrates Fylde's fourth and final goal in the FA Cup win at Hyde United with fellow scorer Ben Tollitt  Picture: STEVE MCLELLAN
Luke Burgess celebrates Fylde's fourth and final goal in the FA Cup win at Hyde United with fellow scorer Ben Tollitt Picture: STEVE MCLELLAN
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New-look Coasters win FA Cup opener at Hyde

The Coasters’ bid for promotion back to the National League starts with Darlington FC making the trip to Mill Farm (7.45pm).

It’s a busy start to the season for the Coasters, who are away to Gateshead on Saturday and then visit National League North rivals Farsley Celtic in the FA Cup on Tuesday next week.

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That tie in West Yorkshire in the third qualifying round is Fylde’s reward for last weekend’s 4-2 win at Hyde United.

Fylde are back at step two of the non-league pyramid for the first time since 2016/17, having been relegated via points-per-game in the curtailed season.

The club’s full-time status and oft-stated desire to be in the Football League by 2022 means they could be seen as something of a scalp for other sides.

However, Bentley is wary of anyone using Fylde’s set-up as an excuse to label them the team to beat in 2020/21.

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He told The Gazette: “We’re a full-time club but there are other big clubs in the division.

“I think there are something like seven ex-Football League clubs in there.

“York City were very unlucky last year. They were well in contention until lockdown and they are the favourites for me.

“There will be lots of clubs fancying themselves to do well this year and, speaking to people in the division, it’s a case of anyone beating anyone.

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“It will be whoever can get that consistency into their game. It will be a tough league but one we fancy ourselves to do well in.”

Bentley wants to hit the ground running after Saturday’s FA Cup win at Hyde but admits one familiar face will be out to gain the upper hand.

He said: “It’s a big game and Darlington have got some good players in their ranks.

“I know one or two of them, like Adam Campbell, who I know from my time at Morecambe.

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“It’s a quick turnaround between matches, with three big games.

“We want to get off to a good start and we’re looking forward to it.”

While Bentley might come up against someone he knows well in Campbell, he will be without two familiar faces.

Bentley’s long-time assistant Ken McKenna left the club over the summer, followed by goalkeeping coach Lee Jones, who took a job with Tranmere Rovers.

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Nick Chadwick and Joe Potts have filled the roles vacated by McKenna and Jones respectively, and while Bentley is excited by their appointments he paid tribute to McKenna.

“Certain things can happen in football and the club took that decision,” he said of McKenna’s exit.

“What I would say is Kenny has been fantastic for me in my managerial career.

“He’s like my right arm. We’ve spent many hours travelling together, talking football, and been together on the touchline.

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“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a person. He’s a top professional, who works extremely hard.

“Lee got a better job over at Tranmere, closer to home and at a higher level, so he goes with our blessing.

“It’s going to be strange not having those two but I’m very happy with what I’ve got as a backroom staff.