Coasters boss compliments duo after FA Trophy progress
Goalkeeping hero Pat Boyes took most of the plaudits after AFC Fylde’s penalty shootout victory at Solihull Moors in the FA Trophy – but boss Craig Mahon also praised two-goal Danny Ormerod for defying illness to help his side reach the fourth round.
Ormerod’s second-half strikes may have been cancelled out as the National League hosts took Saturday’s tie to spot-kicks, though his commitment to the cause while suffering tonsillitis was key to the Coasters’ success.
Head coach Mahon told the club’s media team: “Danny was on antibiotics. He was sick at half-time but he was still willing to go out and get two goals.
“We had to take him off because it was draining him. He wanted to stay on but we have to look after the lads.”
Moors may have drawn level from two goals down, but the visitors had another hero in Boyes, who saved three penalties and scored Fylde’s final one to put them through to the last 32.
Mahon said: “We gave Pat a big round of applause in the dressing room because he has got us through to the next round. It’s hugs and kisses he deserves and I’m really proud of him.”
It kept Fylde’s positive momentum going on the back of three straight wins in National League North and Mahon added: “It’s probably not the way I wanted to go through but I’m really happy.
“I thought we were really good and for 60-65 minutes we really deserved to be in front.
“It was a great performance and the lads dug in. After they came back from 2-0 down, most teams could crumble but we fought to the end.
“The cup run is brilliant – it’s great for the fans and a good reset for us to play teams we aren’t used to.”
Mahon’s players return to action on Saturday, when they visit Kidderminster Harriers who sit fourth in the table.
They do so, having seen their lead at the top of NLN cut to one point after second-placed South Shields were 2-1 winners in their game against Peterborough Sports on Tuesday.