Boston United 1 AFC Fylde 2: Coasters get off the mark under new boss
AFC Fylde picked up their first away win of the campaign – and an opening victory under head coach Kevin Phillips – after beating Boston United on Wednesday.
Second-half goals from Corey Whelan and Adam Long proved the difference after Pemi Aderoju’s opener on the stroke of half-time.
The first half was mostly a cagey and scrappy affair with neither side having many chances.
Aderoju headed wide from close range before Fylde began to grab a foothold in the game.
Jon Ustabasi forced a save from Aidan Stone before Owen Evans cut inside and saw his effort blocked.
Theo Richardson made two great saves at the other end, the second of those leading to a corner from which Boston capitalised.
Aderoju rose highest and headed home from six yards, leaving the Coasters behind at the interval.
The second half started in much better fashion for Fylde as they levelled on 53 minutes.
Skipper Whelan met Joe Riley’s corner and volleyed past Stone before they led five minutes later.
A short free-kick routine ended with Gavin Massey whipping in a brilliant ball which Long headed past Stone to put Fylde 2-1 ahead.
Riley went close to adding a third with a free-kick that crept narrowly wide.
Lincoln McFayden also had an opportunity, slicing his effort off target after Ethan Mitchell had cut the ball back.
Although Boston continued to pile on the pressure, Fylde managed the game well and took the sting out of it to claim victory.
AFC Fylde: Richardson, Davis, Whelan, Long, Evans, McFayden, Mitchell, Riley, Massey (Jolley 85), Roberts, Ustabasi. Subs not used: Winterbottom, Gamble, Zanzala, Haughton, Ormerod, O’Kane