AFC Fylde defeated The Nomads 2-0 earlier this afternoon.  Fylde hit the net a few minutes before half time through James Dean and half way through the second half, Mark Galliers secured the victory.


On the opening day of the London Olympics, Nomads met the strongest opposition they will play this pre-season. Fylde are on a par with the WPL elite and have a style very similar to that which we will face at Bangor City in our WPL opener. The Coasters were faster, fitter, stronger, but not by much. Mark will have been delighted to see his side often under pressure, but competing in every area.

In an even first half, Fylde had most of the possession and they were neat and gave little away. At the back, they were big, strong and confident. Early efforts by the big James Dean and the raiding Mike Barnes, were allowed to go wide. On the counter attack, a rapid run by Jamie Petrie saw him put the ball just behind Dean Canning and Gary O’Toole. Galliers saw John Rushton spread well to save, and the young keepers handling was as good as the highly rated Ben Hinchcliffe’s at the other end.

On 35 minutes in a great Nomads attack, Jamie Petrie, Dean Canning and Ricky Evans got in shots, as the ball pinged around the Fylde box, but the visitors stood firm and cleared. Then a moment John Rushden will want to forget. A long ball sent  Dean running goal wards beyond the defence. John accurately assessed that the forward would get there before the ball and he charged out to head away. However, he misjudged the ball and it cleared his head, leaving James Dean with the simple task of walking it into the empty goal. That this was all there was between the sides, will have encouraged our manager immensely.

For the second half, we brought on Michael Thompson for Shaun Tinsley, with Alan Hooley dropping deeper. Possession was more even, with Tommo again showing up very well, but our breaching of a very good defence was rare. When we did get beyond the Fylde back line, Hinchcliffe commanded his area well and in truth we never looked like scoring. At the other end we did well, chances came to Galliers, Dean and Jarvis, with two going wide and one well saved by John. With 81 minutes gone, we conceded a second, with Mike Galliers taking a Pilkington pass in the area and scoring with a low drive into the left corner.


Fylde deserved the win and no doubt they will experience many more this season, as they look destined to easily win the NPL. We were a close second best to a very good side today and we go on to meet Salford on Friday night in great shape.

gap CONNAH’S QUAY

1. John RUSHTON
2. Shaun TINSLEY (45 mins)
3. Alan HOOLEY
4. Mark McGREGOR
5. Danny DOBBINS
6 Craig JONES ©
7. Jamie PETRIE
8. Danny FORDE
9. Gary O’TOOLE
10. Ricky EVANS
11. Dean CANNING

Subs

Rhys HEALEY
Chris ROWNTREE
Michael THOMPSON (45 Mins)
Ryan JONES