Fylde must improve ball control for Chorley rematch says boss Nick Chadwick

The Coasters’ deputy manager was critical of his players’ control and use of the ball in their 3-1 Boxing Day defeat at Victory Park, which left Fylde with just one win to show for their last six National League North outings.

Chadwick had hoped for an early opportunity to put things right yesterday but the home game against Southport was postponed due to Covid-19 in the Sandgrounders camp.

Still, Fylde don’t have long to wait for another crack at Chorley and boss Chadwick spelled out clearly where his charges need to improve for the return match at Mill Farm.

He told the club website: “If you play for this football club you handle the ball and we didn’t handle the ball well enough basically.

“In possession we were not good enough and ultimately we gave them momentum to do what they did to get ahead in the game.

“What they do they do well but we didn’t have enough answers with our football.

“For a 10-minute spell before their second goal I thought we started to get on top. We talked about switching the play but I don’t think we did it well enough and when we did put the ball in the box I don’t think it was good enough quality.

“The players have to be better than that. We have to be able to pass, move and play with a bit of quality.

“The ball-players we think can handle the ball and have good quality have shown that in the majority of games, but for whatever reason they didn’t at Chorley and gave the ball away.”

Ben Tollitt’s goal put Fylde on level terms at half-time but Chorley sealed victory with two headers from set-pieces.

Chadwick did give credit to the derby victors, adding: “They caused us problems with what they did at times, certainly from set-pieces, and we’ve got nothing out of the game.

“Some of our errors were forced and we have to applaud the opposition whenever we are beaten.

“They handled certain aspects of the game better than us. For the majority of the first half I thought we defended and coped quite well but I’m disappointed with us in possession.

“That performance was not what we expect here. I didn’t think we played with our usual style all game or with confidence or assurance.

“I thought we looked nervy in possession and loose, with too many unforced errors.

“It’s a good thing is we have another game coming up, so the players need to ready. We’re back at home and the team selected will be expected to play a lot better.”

Yesterday’s game was postponed on Sunday evening after two Southport players showed coronavirus symptoms.

All close contacts went into self-isolation pending the results of tests. A new date for the game is yet to be arranged.

Fylde fell a further two places to sixth in National League North following yesterday’s games, with Boston United and York City both moving above the Coasters on goal difference after victories.

The one consolation for Fylde was that leaders Gloucester City lost 3-2 at Brackley Town, meaning Chadwick’s side are still nine points off the pace but now have three games in hand.

The other game in the division to be postponed was between second-placed Kidderminster Harriers and AFC Telford United, though in this case a frozen pitch was the cause rather than the pandemic.

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