Match Report | Wealdstone FC 3-2 AFC Fylde
Ten-man AFC Fylde were defeated 3-2 away at Wealdstone in the Vanarama National League, despite leading shortly after the interval.
Thavon Campbell edged the Stones ahead early on before Gold Omotayo, with a header, and Nick Haughton, from inside his own half, struck to put the Coasters in front.
However, following Pierce Bird’s red card for a second yellow, Nathan Ferguson levelled late on before Campbell acrobatically scored in stoppage-time, condemning the Coasters to a defeat.
Harry Davis returned to the Coasters squad following his suspension, whilst Tom Walker and Omotoyo were included in the starting line-up.
Adam Murray’s men started positively as Haughton played a neat one-two with Omotayo, which he curled straight at Jed Ward.
Despite the excellent start, the Coasters were behind after Charles Clayden’s cross from the left was turned home by Campbell beyond Theo Richardson.
Pushing for an immediate response, Luke Charman turned in the box after some good Coasters build-up play, but his strike was deflected for a corner before Richardson was called into action again, saving Campbell’s effort from a tight angle after Sam Bowen’s ball into the area.
Towards the half-hour mark, Haughton found Walker on the right, who sent a deep cross in towards Charman at the back post, but he couldn’t get a clear connection on his strike, which eventually went wide of Ward’s bottom near post.
Up the other end, Richardson did well to thwart Bowen’s shot, diving low to his left, having been teed up by Max Kretzschmar.
Murray’s men were level eight minutes before the break. Haughton’s free-kick from the left was met by Omotayo, who powered his header past Ward.
Buoyed by going level, Fylde went close after Charman’s surging run upfield ended with Ward keeping out his swerving effort.
Half-time: Wealdstone FC 1-1 AFC Fylde
As the second half got underway, the Coasters created the first opportunity through Haughton after his floated free-kick was nodded down by Whitmore and dropped towards Omotayo close to goal, but Ward was equal to his close-range attempt.
The Coasters were ahead on 56 minutes in spectacular circumstances. Haughton collected possession, spotted Ward off his line and struck from inside his own half, floating an audacious effort over the ‘keeper and into the net.
Fylde received a blow after 62 minutes when Bird was dismissed for a second yellow card as the Coasters were down to 10 men.
Emeka Obi then did well to head clear Kretzschmar’s looping cross into a dangerous area before Murray made two changes in seven minutes, with Jon Ustabasi coming on for Haughton and Davis replacing Omotayo.
With 20 minutes left, Micah Obiero’s rising strike went over the crossbar before Kay did well to clear Ferguson’s cross.
Richardson then superbly punched Jack Cook’s first-time strike away after Ferguson found him lurking at the back post – a shot destined for the bottom corner.
Wealdstone then took advantage of the extra body and equalised on 85 minutes after Ferguson weaved into an attacking position on the edge of the box and arrowed an effort past Richardson and into the bottom right corner from 20 yards.
In the 10 minutes of additional time that followed, the Stones were piling the pressure on as Sean Adarkwa headed straight at Richardson before Charlie Barker glanced over from Jaydn Mundle-Smith’s hooked cross.
The deciding moment come in the 99th minute when Barker headed a corner back across goal to Campbell, who found Richardson’s bottom left corner with an acrobatic overhead kick, leaving the Coasters beaten.
Full-Time: Wealdstone FC 3-2 AFC Fylde
Wealdstone: Ward, Cook ©, Barker, Charles (Ferguson 66), Dyer, Kretzschmar (Adarkwa 80) Obiero, Clayden (Allarakhia 73) Bowen, Mundle-Smith, Campbell
Subs not used: Barrett, Olomola,
AFC Fylde: Richardson, Conlan, Obi, Whitmore ©, Bird, Philliskirk, Whitehead, Walker (Kay 53), Haughton (Ustabasi 66), Charman, Omotayo (Davis 72)
Subs not used: Ligendza, Glynn
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