REPORT: AFC Fylde 2-1 Longridge Town

The Coasters ran out 2-1 winners in their latest pre-season fixture against Longridge Town at Kellamergh Park. 

 

Joe Melling gave the visitors the lead just after the 30-minute mark, before Alex Whitmore equalised. 

Luke Burke earned Fylde the victory after finding himself in unfamiliar territory to turn the ball home late in the second half. 

Jim Bentley gave starts to Max Johnstone, Luke Burgess, Nick Haughton and Junior Mondal whilst David Perkins returned to the matchday squad on the bench. 

The game started off in a quiet fashion in the opening 15 minutes with both sides looking to keep hold of the ball and build from the back. 

Junior Mondal was the first to have a real go at goal. Mondal saw the ball flash across the face of goal towards him at the back post, he took one touch and thumped a volley towards goal, though Lee Dovey watched it safely past the post.  

Longridge went straight down the other end and created a chance of their own. Owen Watkinson found space to work the ball away from Burn and send a shot towards goal, but Johnstone stood firm to deny him. 

After a few half chances for the Coasters, the visitors took the lead. Watkinson fed Melling inside the area, he kept his composure well and slotted the ball past Johnstone to give Longridge the lead. 

Moments later, Whitmore pulled Fylde level. A header back across goal from an overhit corner found Whitmore on the goal line, he leapt above everyone to nod in from close range. 

Half-Time: AFC Fylde 1-1 Longridge Town 

Again, the game took a while to spring into life after the break. Longridge then found life, as Harvey Macadam found himself one-on-one with Johnstone, though not for the first time, he stood firm to deny him. 

The Coasters started to ramp up the pressure. Ryan Schofield threw his body on the line twice to prevent the Coasters from taking the lead. 

Then, with 20 minutes left to play the Coasters took the lead. A cross from the left found its way through Lee Dovey’s gloves and towards Luke Burke on the line, he took one touch and bundled the ball into the net from close range. 

Despite being behind, Longridge battled to find an equaliser. Jacob Riding found Jack Anderton bursting into the area to cross into the middle, but Johnstone was there to punch clear. 

With just minutes left, the Coasters nearly had a third. A trialist striker was released in behind the Longridge defence, he took one touch and shot towards goal, Dovey saved with an outstretched leg before denying the striker again from the rebound. 

Full-Time: AFC Fylde 2-1 Longridge Town

 

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