Match Report: AFC Fylde 0-0 Maidenhead United

AFC Fylde played out a goalless draw at home to Maidenhead United in the Vanarama National League on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides had their chances, with the Coasters unable to return to winning ways on the Fylde Coast.

Ben Winterbottom made his Mill Farm debut in goal as Head Coach Chris Beech made two changes from Tuesday evening’s 1-1 draw at Oldham Athletic, with Bryce Hosannah and Luke Brennan coming in for Patrick Gamble and Ethan Mitchell.

First-Half

Winterbottom was called into action within the first five minutes, dropping down well to his left to keep out Shawn McCoulsky’s right-footed effort from distance.

Nine minutes later, Haughton received possession back from Owen Evans after seeing his initial corner cleared. The Coasters number 10 cut in from the left to bend a right-footed dipping strike from outside the box across goal and narrowly over Craig Ross’ crossbar.

Fylde had some important defending to do shortly after, when Reece Smith’s corner was met by skipper Alan Massey, who saw his snapshot turned behind by Winterbottom.

Joe Riley, buoyed by his first Fylde goal in midweek, weaved beyond three purple shirts to aim an effort at goal, which defender Kevin Lokko did well to block before Haughton also had an attempt charged down.

Beyond the half-hour, Fylde survived when Smith’s right-sided corner caused a goal-mouth scramble, which the Coasters defence managed to clear to safety.

As the half reached its closing stages, Hosannah’s ball down the right for Jon Ustabasi to cross, however Lokko managed to steer the ball to safety under pressure from Charlie Jolley.

Half-Time: AFC Fylde 0-0 Maidenhead United

A minute after the restart, McCoulsky profited from Adam Long’s slip to go one-on-one with Winterbottom, but the stopper made himself big to make an excellent sprawling save.

Alan Devonshire’s Magpies went close again, as Lokko’s shot from Smith’s cross deflected just wide by Evans.

Winterbottom had to be alert to make two saves in quick succession midway through the half. Firstly, he saved low from Smith’s strike after Jayden Mitchell-Lawson’s through ball before keeping out Owen Cochraine’s deflected cross into the box with his feet.

Up the other end, Haughton whipped a powerful shot from the right through a crowd which Ross held well.

Maidenhead pushed for an elusive late winner themselves, though Casey Pettit’s volley which went over Winterbottom’s crossbar and Nathan Ferguson’s header at the back post crept wide – as both sides shared the points.

AFC Fylde: Winterbottom, Evans (Gamble 90), Davis, Long, Hosannah, Whelan © (Mitchell 58), Riley, Brennan (Ormerod 58), Ustabasi (O’Kane 71), Haughton, Jolley (Zanzala 52)

Subs not used: Richardson, Obi

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