“Everyone is working really hard to change our form and our fortunes”: Fylde RFC aim to end their winless run

That’s the opinion of team boss Alex Loney, whose players almost battled back from a 24-0 half-time deficit at Tynedale on Saturday a week after surrendering a 25-point lead at home to Scunthorpe.

One common factor in their six straight losses – and the winless run which began before Christmas – is that matches have been close.

Last Saturday’s in Northumberland ended 34-26, though Fylde were one successful conversion away from a grandstand finish.

Keeping the faith is key for joint-head coach Loney, who told The Gazette: “It’s obviously frustrating. Everyone is working really hard to change our form and our fortunes.

“There’s no magic answer – we just have to believe in what we do and in each other, and try to control the controllables in every game.

“We got off to a poor start at Tynedale and gave them way too much field position and possession.

“We did get a foothold in the first half, showed we could put them under pressure and we could have got some points on the board.

“Then, in the second half, we outscored them and showed we are not miles away.

“It was disappointing they scored a couple of sloppy tries when we were fully in the ascendancy and we were one conversion away from a one-score match.”

One point separates mid-table Fylde and this Saturday’s Woodlands visitors Wharfedale (3pm), so a first home win since December 6 would be warmly welcomed.

Indeed, Fylde proved they can finish on the right side of the narrow margins by winning this season’s 82-point thriller at Wharfedale with a last-minute try.

Loney added: “No-one is hammering us and there are no games we are completely out of. We are sure the win will come but we can’t just expect it to happen.

“Wharfedale is a tough, traditional fixture but if we go into it with confidence, which we will, and give it our best we’ll give ourselves a great chance.”

Loney is the last to labour the point about injuries but the news from the treatment room gets no better, with captain Toby Harrison and key back Danny Cassidy now ‘longer-term’ casualties.

“We won’t see much of them again this season,” confirmed Loney.

“We don’t like to focus on that but it’s true we’ve had some pretty significant injuries.

“We’ve struggled to get the whole squad available at any time but we’re proud of everybody who has been involved.

“We’ve been without some pretty experienced players and have given young players their debuts, which will help them to flourish as front-line players for the future.

“We did get Ben Walton back at Tynedale and he gave a ‘look at me’ performance off the bench, but whoever comes in is putting his hand up.”