'Normality' key for AFC Fylde in National League North title deciding weekend as race with South Shields reaches climax
Craig Mahon looks ahead to AFC Fylde’s final game of the season as they look to clinch the National League North title.
AFC Fylde are looking to clinch National League North promotion this weekend - with the title race going down to the wire.
The Coasters currently sit top of the table heading into the final rounds of fixtures, but could still be overtaken by South Shields if they’re unable to secure a win away to Merthyr Town on Saturday afternoon.
Throughout the campaign, the two clubs have been neck and neck in competing for the singular automatic spot, with just two points currently separating them.
While Fylde are in South Wales for their final game of the regular season, as they look to reach the 100 point mark, the Mariners are away to Kidderminster.
“There’s no denying that we’ll be looking at their result,” Coasters boss Craig Mahon admitted.
“You need to know these types of things during the game. They can give you tactical awareness or an idea of what to do.
“We’ll know anyway by the fans singing if they’re winning or losing, but we’re going out there to win, we don’t need to do anything else apart from that. It’s how we’ve played all season, I’ve gone into every game to win, and this is no different.
“You try to keep yourself in your own bubble, but I’m an honest person, and I take a step back and look at the league.
“If it wasn’t for South Shields, I don’t think we’d be where we are now. They’ve pushed us, and made sure we couldn’t drop our standards. They’ve made me a better coach because I’ve had to up my game and make sure I was doing everything - there’s no question about that.
“Their manager might say the same thing as well. We’ve pushed each other to a standard that’s been really good; it’s a shame that only one of us can go up at this moment, hopefully the other can go up in the play-offs.
“It’s been a real rollercoaster, and from the start of the season we’ve separated ourselves from the pack a little bit. It’s come down to the last day, so hopefully we can stay on top.”
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Mahon states it’s been business as usual for Fylde in training this week, despite the importance of this weekend’s fixture.
“For us it’s just normality,” he added.
“We’ve not changed anything. We’ve not over analysed or overthought; we’ve just cracked on as normal. I know it’s hard, but we’ve acted like it’s a normal week. It’s worked for 45 games, so why change it now?
“Everyone’s in good spirits. All of the lads know what’s at stake, but we’re just trying to enjoy this week of training because it could be our last week. You’ve just got to enjoy the simple things and enjoy the privilege that we have.
“In training, I’ve joined in to give them a laugh. We’re trying to take their mind off it. Tactics-wise, we can’t do too much more with this team than we’ve already done - they know their job roles and each other’s job roles.
“We’ll do our analysis on Merthyr and how we can exploit their weaknesses and nullify their strengths.
“The lads are in good spirits, you can see that they’re enjoying the occasion, and that’s what we want them to do.
“We don’t need to change anything we’ve done, we just need to keep our heads down and keep what we’ve been doing for 45 games. If it comes off - brilliant, the lads can go off and enjoy themselves; if not - we’ll dust ourselves off and go again.
“The lads are fully focussed on what they need to do, and know what’s at the end of it. We’ve got to enjoy the moment and understand they can create a little bit of history.”
Clinching the title on Saturday would round off a strong first season at Mill Farm for Mahon, after his move to Wesham from Curzon Ashton last summer.
“I’ve probably shocked a few people who probably didn’t know what I could do or capable of,” he noted.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have good background staff who believe in what I’m doing and our recruitment has been really good.
“We’ve probably surprised a few people this year. We were hoping to be up there, but to go into the last game of the season on 97 points is a fantastic achievement for any club.
“If things go our way this weekend - absolutely brilliant, I’ll be made up, but if not, I’ll still be so proud of the club for what it’s done.”
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