AFC Fylde look to enjoy home comforts after midweek disappointment

Fylde created a host of chances to add to Danny Philliskirk’s opener in Warwickshire but couldn’t take them and then succumbed to an equaliser deep into stoppage-time.

It meant that after winning their first four games in National League North, the Coasters have won only one of their second four and have slipped to third, six points behind leaders Gloucester City but with two games in hand.

Although results have dipped of late, Chadwick insists performances have not and says his charges have every reason to approach tomorrow’s first Saturday game for three weeks in “buoyant” mood.

Assistant manager Chadwick, who has taken the reins this week as boss Jim Bentley prepares for heart surgery on Tuesday, told The Gazette: “We played really well at Leamington but it was a tough ending and everyone is ready for Boston.

“We’ve looked at the performance, and we played so well for the majority and absolutely dominated it.

“We created several real chances, and on another day, could have scored four or five.

“The goal against us coming when it did has affected how everyone felt about the game afterwards but it should not mask the quality of the performance.

“I’m really happy with the way we played and have reiterated to the players that if our performance levels reach such a high standard on a consistent basis, we will win far more games than we lose.”

Tomorrow’s visitors are among the league’s last two unbeaten sides but have not played all month.

Boston had won three out of four in the league before Covid-enforced self-isolation disrupted their campaign, delaying their visit to Mill Farm by a fortnight.

This game, followed by another home clash with Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday, is the perfect opportunity for Fylde to put recent frustrations behind them.

Chadwick added: “A draw away from home felt a lot worse than it normally would because of the time of the goal and the main thing is that we are in a good place.

“We are playing some excellent football but it’s about converting that into wins, which we have done for the majority of the season so far.

“We now have two home games back-to-back, which are just what we need.”

However, tomorrow’s match may come too early for captain Nathan Pond, who pulled up in the first half at Leamington as a groin injury which has troubled him in recent weeks flared up once again.

Chadwick said of the veteran centre-half and Fleetwood Town great: “It seems to be the same issue.

“The strength in his groin was good going into Tuesday’s game and we were hopeful we’d got to the root of it, but there was a slight reocurrence.

“It’s nothing major and it isn’t worrying him on a day-to-day basis.

“We all know Pondy’s character and he wants to lead from the front all the time but we have to make sure we are careful and do what is right by him. We’ve assessed him and will know more in the next few days.”

Chadwick said that a final decision on the skipper’s availability to face Boston had not been made, but added that he could only be rated “an outside chance” after his early midweek exit.

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