Five-star Fylde win in style

AFC Fylde 5, Stalybridge Celtic 0
Hughes - goes close for FyldeHughes - goes close for Fylde
Hughes - goes close for Fylde

Fylde warmed up for Saturday’s FA Cup first round tie at Millwall with a five-star performance at Kellamergh Park which kept them top of Vanarama National North.

Danny Rowe scored twice in the second half to build on first-half strikes by Matty Hughes and Dion Charles before Danny Lloyd completed the Coasters’ ninth straight win in all competitions.

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Manager Dave Challinor made one change to the side that beat Barrow in the FA Cup the previous weekend, with Ben Hinchliffe replacing Matt Urwin in goal.

The first chance of the match came inside the first minute and it was a gem for the hosts. Charles raced down the right and delivered a pinpoint cross for Rowe, who was thwarted by a great save from Tony McMillan.

A minute later and it was left-back Alex Whittle who popped up in the Stalybridge area but his fierce effort was matched by McMillan.

The deadlock was broken after 13 minutes and it was a deserved opener for the Coasters. Matt Blinkhorn held off two challenges in the box before squaring for Hughes to fire home from 15 yards.

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Former Coaster Aiden Chippendale had the first chance for the visitors but his header could only find the side-netting.

After a quiet spell, Stalybridge midfielder Dale Wright had the next chance of note, when his deflected free-kick from 30 yards flashed wide of the post.

Stalybridge enjoyed a spell of pressure and, after a melee in the box, their captain Matt Hughes lashed his shot narrowly over the bar.

The visitors were getting closer and closer to an equaliser and it almost came on 34 minutes, when Hughes’ glancing header from a corner hit a post.

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Fylde hit back with a chance of their own moments later, when Charles turned terrifically on the edge of the box only to watch his powerful effort deflected wide of the far post.

The wideman wasn’t to be denied for much longer and on 39 minutes the lead was doubled.

Hughes released Charles down the left and he raced into the area before slotting past McMilan.

Celtic almost pulled one back on the stroke of half-time but Chris Simm smashed his header against the underside of the bar.

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The hosts kicked off the second period at lightning pace as Blinkhorn had an effort saved before Hughes was also thwarted by the keeper.

The third goal arrived on 50 minutes, when Blinkhorn played in strike partner Rowe, who took a touch before lifting the ball over the advancing McMillan.

Stalybridge fashioned a rare second-half chance on 62 minutes, after some neat interplay saw substitute Amour Lingouba through on goal, but his strike was comfortable for Hinchliffe.

The lead was very nearly increased on 66 minutes, when Rowe stung the palms of McMillan with a piledriver from 30 yards.

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The fourth did arrive on 76 minutes. Substitute Lloyd delivered a telling cross from the right and Rowe ghosted in at the back post for his second of the afternoon.

James Hardy, introduced from the bench, went close five minutes from time when he danced into the area but his low shot was inches wide.

The scoring was complete with two minutes to play. Hardy released Lloyd on the halfway line and he raced clear to smash a clinical strike into the far corner.

The Coasters, now unbeaten in 11 games, maintain their one-point lead at the top after a weekend which saw the top five all win.

That could all change next Saturday, when Fylde are otherwise engaged at Millwall’s New Den.