Match Report | Curzon Ashton 0-2 AFC Fylde

Fylde produced a real team display to claim a big 2-0 victory over Curzon Ashton in the National League North.

With the clash against the Nash being the Coasters’ game in hand, everyone knew their jobs, and right from the first whistle, Fylde were on it.

A beautiful Danny Whitehead ball to Luke Conlan allowed the full-back to cut inside and find Nick Haughton, who curled into the far corner of the net.

Things got better, and with the mood Fylde were in, nobody was stopping them. Danny Philliskirk pounced on a mistake from Matthews to set a ball for Conlan to bend with the outside of his boot and into the right corner.

Adam Murray made one change to the side that won 5-1 against Leamington FC last time out, with Dan Pike replacing Connor Barrett.

The Coasters made a bright start last time out, and they did the same once again when Danny Whitehead switched play out to Conlan, who took the ball down beautifully and picked out Haughton. He took one touch and curled into the bottom corner.

Little did anyone in the Tameside Stadium think or know, Murray’s men soon went 2-0 up after a mistake in the Curzon backline was pounced upon by Philliskirk for him to lay Conlan off for a first-time outside of the foot finish.

It wasn’t the start that the home side would have wanted, to say the least, but after the second went in, Ryan Hall managed to cut inside from the left and shoot low towards goal but into the hands of Chris Neal.

As the game went into a little bit of a lull, Fylde did manage to break from a Curzon corner through Joe Rowley, and after the ball found its way to Haughton on the left, he cut inside and found the gloves of Josh Ollerenshaw.

However, down the other end, the hosts continued to threaten. Tom Peers won a free-kick after being fouled by Emeka Obi, leaving Will Hayhurst to step up but find the roof of the net.

Craig Mahon had an opportunity to pull one back after cutting in and letting fly towards the bottom left corner, which Neal did well to push away and send the Coasters in ahead at the interval.

Half-Time: Curzon Ashton 0-2 AFC Fylde

Looking to make a positive start to the second half, Curzon came out bright and on the front foot. Dylan Boyle was allowed to bring a loose ball down on the edge of the area and volley towards goal and into Neal’s clutches.

It was a half that didn’t produce much for either side, but it was Curzon that had the opportunities of the half. This time, James Spencer flicked into the path of Finlay Armstrong for a first-time effort on goal, which eventually drifted wide of the post.

It continued to be that way, with Curzon again finding themselves in front of goal through Boyle. He picked up a good position on the edge of the area to volley at goal and make Neal produce an outstanding save.

All the Coasters had to do was hold on for the three points, and the introduction of Siya Ligendza & Connor Barrett helped with that. Luke Charman did drift into the area and hit the side netting, but Murray’s men held out to pick up a big win on the road.

Full-Time: Curzon Ashton 0-2 AFC Fylde  

Curzon Ashton: Ollerenshaw, Poscha, Matthews, Boyle, Hall (44’ Richards), Peers (46’ Armstrong), Hayhurst (60’ Hancock), Waring, Spencer, Mahon, Barton.

Unused subs: Hogan, Edmundson

AFC Fylde: Neal, Obi, Davis, Whitmore, Conlan, Pike (83’ Barrett), Philliskirk (78’ Hatfield), Whitehead, Rowley (78’ Ligendza), Haughton, Charman.

Unused Subs: Cybulski, Delfouneso.

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