Boston 0, AFC Fylde 1: Coasters secure third successive away win at Boston United
Fylde secured a third away victory on the spin at Boston United, courtesy of a Danny Mayor wonder strike, with the midfielder's goal proving the difference in a closely contested match, writes William Jones
The Coasters secured a third away victory on the spin at Boston United on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a Danny Mayor wonder strike.
Fylde were on top right from the very off, with Harvey Broad almost opening the scoring inside three minutes, firing low and hard on target, though was well denied by Louis Chadwick.
Danny Mayor and Luca Thomas both saw low drives deflected behind for corners, further emphasising Fylde's early authority on the fixture.
It was after almost fifteen minutes into the afternoon that the hosts created their first opportunity, with Zac Jones forced into a smart save by Tom Cursons, who would prove to be the Pilgrims' focal point throughout the day.
Captain Corey Whelan ensured the hosts wouldn't take the lead as he produced a vital block from Jack Holmes' low drive.
Boston would keep pushing for an opener, however, with Cursons and Rooney both trying their luck, though to no avail in the first half an hour.
In the first flashpoint of the fixture, Jake Rooney was booked for flooring Millar Matthews-Lewis as they challenged to be first to a ball over the top, before Cursons was also cautioned for delaying the restart, having lashed home after play was halted for an offside call.
Holahan was also a threat for Boston from midfield, forcing Jones into a fingertip save before the close of the half, followed by an opportunity to gather more comfortably from long distance.
The sides headed into the interval goalless, with little to separate them after the opening phase.
It wasn't long after the break though, that Fylde got their noses in front in emphatic fashion courtesy of a Danny Mayor wonder strike on his return to the starting XI, bending beyond Chadwick in to the far top corner just six minutes after the restart.
Broad then almost added a second a matter of seconds later as he initially provided for Luca Thomas, whose effort couldn't be cleared, allowing Harvey to take on the spectacular, which he could only lash against the outside of the side netting.
Mayor tried to recreate the incredible moment he'd produced 10 minutes earlier, though couldn't keep his effort down on the second attempt, before Jones provided a vital stop from Cursons to prevent Boston from restoring parity with just less than half an hour to play.
Six minutes before the end, Rooney received his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the form of a late challenge on Morris, leaving the hosts to fight for a point with 10 men in the closing stages.
Following Rooney's dismissal, Mahon made one final change for the afternoon, with Ethan Mitchell withdrawn for Theo Upton for the final three minutes of regulation time plus the five added on.
The Coasters were able to see the game out despite a momentary scare requiring bodies on the line to prevent a last-second Boston equaliser and secure all three points.