Trophy trouble as Fylde replay is postponed again

The FA Trophy first-round tie against Skelmersdale is becoming a nightmare for AFC Fylde after the replay was postponed for a third time.

Their hopes of finally completing the tie tonight were dashed when the Evo-Stik League club’s ground failed an afternoon pitch inspection.

The plan is to try again on Wednesday – a last chance to play the tie before the scheduled second round on Saturday, when the winners are due to make an epic trip to Eastbourne Borough.

No-one could have anticipated this scenario when the first-round tie was originally played at Fylde’s Kellamergh Park on December 15 and the Coasters breezed into a 3-0 lead.

But Dave Challinor’s side ended up scrambling a 4-4 draw after a stirring fightback by the lower league outfit.

Attempts to stage the replay on Merseyside on December 22, January 5 and tonight have all been thwarted by the rain.