Match report: AFC Fylde 1 Preston North End 6

Manager Dave Challinor had stressed that results are not what matter most in pre-season games, though the Fylde manager won't be happy at being hit for six by the classy Championship club.
New Fylde goalkeeper Russell Griffiths was soon in the action against Preston   Picture: STEVE MCLELLANNew Fylde goalkeeper Russell Griffiths was soon in the action against Preston   Picture: STEVE MCLELLAN
New Fylde goalkeeper Russell Griffiths was soon in the action against Preston Picture: STEVE MCLELLAN

Preston thoroughly enjoyed their first visit to Mill Farm but it was difficult first friendly outing for the hosts in front of a bumper crowd of 1.812.

There was a first Fylde appearance for summer signings Neill Byrne, Ryan Croasdale, goaleeper Russell Griffiths and Danny Philliskirk, joined the previous day after his release by Blackpool. There were nine unnamed triallists in Fylde's match-day squad of 21.

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Attacking midfielder Philliskirk, who spent the last two and a half season at Bloomfield Road, won an early free-kick but it was Preston who had the first opening when Daryl Horgan bent his shot over from outside the box.

The visitors took the lead on 20 minutes, when Paul Huntington climbed highest to head home Josh a Harrop corner at the near post.

Croasdale saw a shot cleared off the line, then Fylde keeper Jay Lynch denied Callum Robinson one-on-one after half an hour.

Robinson was not to be denied on 37 minutes, firing home from 12 yards. And although there were chances before the break for one of Fylde's two starting triallists and for Danny Rowe, who drilled a free-kick just over the top, it remained 2-0 at half-time.

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Rowe and Croasdale were among those replaced as Fylde made three half-time changes and began the second period brightly, Philliskirk testing Preston keeper Chris Maxwell with a 15-yard shot.

But Preston, who had scored seven against Bamber Bridge, continued to create chances as Graham Burke curled a shot against a post and Robinson fired the rebound wide, then Harrop went close with a curler aimed at the top corner.

North End's third arrived on the hour, when Robisnon cut in from the left and curled his shot past Lynch.

This was the cue for seven Coasters changes and keeper Griffiths was among those introduced, though the former Motherwell keeper conceded within two minutes as Sean Maguire blasted home.

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Maguire added a second on 71 minutes, beating the offside trap and chipping Griffiths.

Fylde's new keeper saved well from Paul Gallagher but was beaten again on 80 minutes, when new North End signing Andrew Hughes beat Griffiths at the second attempt, shooting under the keeper.

Serhat Tasdemir saw his shot deflected wide for the hosts, whose perseverance was rewarded when a triallist scored a consolation penalty three minutes from time.

Fylde visit non-league neighbours Squires Gate for their second friendly on Tuesday.

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Fylde: Lynch, Montrose, Angol, Byrne, Tunnicliffe, Bond, Croasdale, Rowe, Philliskirk, triallist, triallist; subs: Griffiths, Tasdemir, Burke and seven triallists.

Preston: Maxwell, Fisher, Pearson, Davies, Robinson, Moult, Harrop, Johnson, Horgan, Burke, Huntington; subs: Rudd, Woods, Storey, Boyle, Hughes, Ledson, Gallagher, Browne, Baxter, O'Reilly, Bodin, Barkhuizen, Maguire.