AFC FYLDE 2 HARROGATE RAILWAY 2
TEAM NEWS: Phil Sharpe made 2 changes to the side that were victorious against Warrington Town 5 days ago. Liam Gray returned to the starting line-up for the first time since our away trip to Lancaster City last month and Ben Jones who was returning from injury replaced the unwell Aaron Hollingdrake and Tom Jackson who was dropped to the bench.
The first 15 minutes of the game was pretty cagey as both sides seeked an early break through. The real first chance went to our hosts as the Rail defence was outdone by a slick passing move down the left side of our defence. Within a split second the ball had been moved across our defence onto the right hand side where 2 AFC Fylde players were left unmarked. It seemed sure that one of them would score but the player who took the ball on shot low across Manny but the ball crashed against the base of the post and out of play. It wasn’t until the 30th minute that Rail started to make inroads into the Fylde defence and within the space of a couple of minutes could have taken the lead. Firstly, Andy Jackson had a goal disallowed for the narrowest of offside decisions and then a great move involving Ben Jones and Paul Stansfield ending up with Nicky Darker one on one with the keeper. His low shot beat the keeper but unfortunately had the same fate at the other end of the pitch by hitting the post and going out for a goal-kick. Unfortunately Dan Verity who had been feeling unwell during the game finally had to come off and was replaced by debutant Danny Buttle. This proved costly as before the defence had time to sort itself out AFC Fylde were awarded a corner on our right-hand side. The ball was swung in and Phil Doughty found himself virtually unmarked to plant a firm header past Manny to take the lead.
AFC FYLDE 1 HARROGATE RAILWAY 0 (41mins)
Worse was to come for Rail as Kevin Ryan who has been struggling with a groin injury had to limp off and was replaced by Steve Palfrey. Rail managed to hold out with the home side in the ascendancy for the remaining minutes of the first-half.
HALF-TIME: AFC FYLDE 1 HARROGATE RAILWAY 0
Within seconds of the start of the second-half Rail should have been on level terms. Steve Palfrey who with virtually his first touch found himself bearing down on the keeper from our left. The keeper did well to get a finger to the shot and touch onto the post. The ball came out to Ben Jones who hesitated slightly and before he could tap it into the net from close in the keeper did well again to smoother the ball. However it wasn’t long after that Rail got a deserved equaliser. The AFC Fylde defence were struggling to clear their lines and the lively Andy Jackson nipped in between them and fired a low shot past the keeper.
AFC FYLDE 1 HARROGATE RAILWAY 1 (52mins)
Rail were playing with real confidence and virtually restricted the opposition to breakaway attacks. With Chris Jenkinson and Dan Thirkell looking solid at the back AFC Fylde couldn’t create any real threat on goal. Midway through the second-half Rail nearly came unstuck. A good move down our left ended up with a low cross into the middle of the area. With only Manny to beat he scooped his shot high over the crossbar. A let off for Rail but moments later there was more danger for our defence as they were awarded a free-kick a couple of yards outside our area. The first attempt was blocked by Ben Jones but his efforts were in vain as the referee asked them to take it again and he then produced a yellow card for encroachment. The second attempt was close but Dan Thirkell did well to deflect it out for a corner. With only 10 minutes remaining Rail fell behind once again.
A hopeful high ball over the top of our defence was headed by Liam Gray but with the wind swirling around he only managed to put it into the path of AFC Fylde’s Player of the Match – Mike Barnes. He still had a lot to do as Chris Jenkinson bore down on him but he had enough time to hit a lovely shot across Manny and into the far side of the net.
AFC FYLDE 2 HARROGATE RAILWAY 1 (79mins)
The seconds ticked away as Rail pushed Dan Thirkell into the attack to try and salvage a point. AFC Fylde tried to eat some of the time up by bringing on a couple of substitutions and this seemed to be working as the ninety minutes were up. The referee indicated 4 minutes of injury time and this gave hope to the Rail players who never gave up until the end. The gamble paid off as only one minute remained. Manny hit a long free-kick into the area and with just about every Rail player in the box. The ball fell to Dan Thirkell who battled his way through the defence and coolly slotted home from the six yard box despite the keeper managing to get a half block on it.
AFC FYLDE 2 HARROGATE RAILWAY 2 (93mins)
The referee barely had time to re-start the game when he blew his whistle for full-time.
FULL-TIME: AFC FYLDE 2 HARROGATE RAILWAY 2
BOOKINGS: 1 - Ben Jones (Rail)
ATTENDANCE: 215
RAIL MAN OF THE MATCH: ANDY JACKSON
PLAYERS MARK OUT OF 10:
James Mann – 7
Dan Thirkell – 8
Scott Driscoll – 8
Nicky Darker – 7
Dan Verity – 7
Chris Jenkinson – 7
Liam Gray – 7
Paul Stansfield – 7
Ben Jones – 7
Kevin Ryan – 7
Andy Jackson – 8
SUBS: Dan Buttle – 7, Steve Palfrey - 7
