Kelham still full of hope

Seeking revenge for last season’s promotion play-off defeat, Fylde had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Saturday’s first qualifying round clash at Kellamergh Park.

The teams replay at Chorley’s Victory Park tonight and O’Hanlon sees no reason why his players should not be full of confidence after their weekend display.

He told The Gazette: “Obviously it’s advantage Chorley but we are going there in a very positive frame of mind.

“It was an excellent performance and we did have more chances than them.

“We should have won because we created some excellent opportunities but we go into the replay in good heart.”

The manager hopes to be able to select recent signing Keigan Parker from the start, after a foot injury restricted him to a cameo off the bench at the weekend.

O’Hanlon revealed the injury was a legacy of last Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Witton, in which the former Blackpool and Fleetwood striker netted his first goals for the club.

“Keigan had a terrible blister on the ball of his foot, which he had picked up in the midweek win. He was a long way from 100 per cent but he should be available for the replay.”

The manager was hugely encouraged by the performance of midfielder Warren Beattie, another ex-Fleetwood player who has joined the Fylde fold after a stint in Australia.

“I was delighted with Beattie,” added the boss. “He only arrived on Thursday and didn’t really know how we play, but he gave an excellent performance.”

Another to earn his manager’s praise was striker Lee Thorpe. The veteran frontman had missed the previous three games with a hamstring injury and had to come through a difficult week in which he faced drug-taking allegations on a Channel 4 documentary.

“Thorpy has been carrying a couple of knocks but he is excellent now and did a good job for us on Saturday,” said the manager.

Tonight’s clash kicks off at 7.45pm.

- THE winners will be at home to Gainsborough Trinity of Blue Square Bet North in the second qualifying round on Saturday week.