Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....
- Thread starter The Penalty Box Dancer
- Start date
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
He's asked himself what would Everton do and then done the complete opposite.
It's like a team of new signings. Dross out and heroes in.
Some teams are going to get one helluva bumming from us this season.
We're going in dry!
We're going in dry!
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
MK Dons vs AFC Fylde
4th August 2040
It was the first weekend of the new campaign and the season got off to a start yesterday evening when Birmingham beat Oldham 1-0. Ferguson had made 8 new signings this summer with more to possibly come. It was interesting to see his line-up for the first game of the season with Breacker keeping his place in goal. Westwood and Chatziaros getting their debut at full-back and 17 year old defender Elliott Richardson who spent last season at Macclesfield made his Fylde debut next to Matty Chapman in a new look back four. Tommy Smyth was named in midfield and Anthony Anderson got the start next to him. Bala started on the left wing, Craddock on the right and Hutchinson through the centre. Lyons-Mayman was named as the Striker in a revamped AFC Fylde. Three minutes on the clock when Tommy Smyth spotted the run inside from Bala who took it in his stride and scored his first Fylde goal with a right footed shot! What a start for Fylde and Bala! Fylde had luck to thank on 21 minutes when Rogers came forward and went past Chapman but his shot clipped the bar after beating Breacker. Westwood took the pass at the back from Richardson and played it forward to Bala who drifted inside, took on two players and went for the bottom right corner but the keeper parried it away. It was 1-0 at half-time but Fylde needed another goal to calm the nerves. Fylde looked nervous at the back and Kun had an easy chance to level when Chapman and Richardson couldn't understand what each other were doing and he slotted from close range, poor defending. On 52 minutes that was the end of Richardson's game when we was replaced by Preece and Chatziaros went to centre back. Ron Patterson came on for his debut on 64 minutes replacing Anthony Anderson. Chapman sent the ball forward which was headed away but picked up by Preece on the right, he crossed into the box and Bala headed towards the bottom corner but it was a whisker wide. Tommy Smyth was covering ground and played a great ball wide to Craddock in acres of space, he crossed into the box towards second half substitute Thomas and Bala but Bala was pulled down by McKenzie and the referee awarded the penalty! It's Grant Thomas to get open his account, he goes left and gets it just over the hands of the keeper! 2-1 to Fylde! Chapman used his size to win the aerial balls when it was time to defend for Fylde as ther match went into stoppage time. Great defending by Chapman in the dying minutes and it's a great start for Fylde as they get off to winning ways!
DF: It's a goood start, MK Dons made it hard work for us and pinned us back at times but I've got to give credit for the defence for remaining calm and we eventually won the game from the spot which we done well to convert late on and get the win.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Doncaster Rovers
8th August 2040
It was the first home game of the season and a calm, warm evening at Mill Farm was the setting. Ferguson went with Chatziaros and Chapman at the back and Ron Patterson got a start in midfield next to Smyth. New signing Luke Williams was not named in the squad for tonight's fixture. The supporters were looking forward to seeing their rejuvenated side after last year's horror show with the club almost relegated to League Two. Chapman won the header, Patterson passed to Smyth on 5 minutes and he fed it wide to Preece, Preece played a ball across the box to Bala who took it on his right cut inside to the edge of the box and drove the ball into thje bottom right corner! Fylde have a player on their hands here! Another early goal for Bala! Hutchinson took the ball on the edge of the box and played it wide to Westwood who crossed to the near post but it was cleared, Hutchinson picked it up, knocked it on his right foot and found the bottom right corner from the edge of the box with a curling effort, 2-0 on 10 minutes! Westwood took the throw deep in the Doncaster half and Hutchinson knocked it to Bala on the edge of the box, he floated in the cross and Lyons-Mayman headed in his first Fylde goal, 3-0 just after 20 minutes and Fylde are flying! The Duncan Ferguson chant was in full flow at Mill Farm and the manager gave the supporters a wry smile. Breacker goes long with the kick on 40 minutes trying to catch Doncaster out of position, Lyons-Mayman headed it down to Craddock who bombed forward and crossed for Bala but his shot was saved, Hutchinson followed it up and slotted to make it 4-0 before the interval! How delightful is this! Andy Neville came forward down the left for Doncaster, he continued unchallenged and from 35 yards he smashed a driving shot low into the bottom right corner, in off the post with Breacker scrambling for it, 4-1 with 30 minutes to go. Are we going to see a spell in this game for Doncaster? Not if Ron Patterson has his say who wins the ball back in the middle, passing it to his partner Smyth, Smyth played a lofting ball over the defence and Lyons-Mayman looped his header over the keeper to make it 5-1! Doncaster have no chance here. It won't be a hattrick today for John Hutchinson as he's replaced by Stuart Greene on 66 minutes. The youngster Tommy Smyth has been incredible today and the home fans show their support as he leaves the field for Anthony Anderson on 72 minutes. Fylde have been flawless. We have witnessed a very comfortable game for Fylde and if this is how the season is going to play out then teams need to be beware!
PLAYER RATINGS
Gillingham vs AFC Fylde
11th August 2040
It was two out of two for Fylde and the team seemed to be gelling early on. Ferguson kept the same side that thrashed Doncaster in midweek for the trip to Gillingham. Bala started off bright taking the ball down the left, cutting in, taking players on with ease but on this occasion his shot went over the bar. He's trying out there today as a minute later he got through on goal again but his shot just went past the post. Smyth played a great ball for Bala to chase down on the left on 11 minutes, he cut it back to Lyons-Mayman who passed to Craddock but his shot was deflected behind. Matty Peters was through on goal when Chatziaros mis-timed the header, he played it to Atkins on the overlap who powered it past Breacker to give the home side a surprising lead on 29 minutes. Now Fylde have a challenge to overcome. Credit to Gillingham who put their bodies on the line to deny Flyde but on 37 minutes Craddock's long ball through the defence allowed Lyons-Mayman to chest past his marker and rifle into the top corner from inside the area, 1-1! Hutchinson took the corner on 55 minutes but it was headed back out, Hutchinson played it first time into the six yard box, Atkins brought down Lyons-Mayman, penalty given! Ron Patterson wanted it and he placed the ball down with confidence, Patterson went for the top right corner but the keeper got his body in the way but somehow it deflected in! 2-1! Patterson opens his account! Fylde made a double change on 66 minutes, Craddock was replaced John Armah and John Hutchinson was replaced by Stuart Greene. Gillingham put Fylde under late pressure and Sean Jordan came on for Chatziaros to help see the game out. Atkins was a handful but brilliant defending from Westwood saw him get in a last ditch tackle. The whistle was blown after three additional minutes and Fylde are off to a great start this season!
DF: Let's not get ahead of ourselves, we have to remember what the league table looked like last season and how tough this league is. I've won it before but that's not necessarily the case. We worked hard today and we will work hard again. We've got another tough away trip on Tuesday to Barnet in the League Cup so selection has to be altered for this trip.
PLAYER RATINGS
4th August 2040
=
It was the first weekend of the new campaign and the season got off to a start yesterday evening when Birmingham beat Oldham 1-0. Ferguson had made 8 new signings this summer with more to possibly come. It was interesting to see his line-up for the first game of the season with Breacker keeping his place in goal. Westwood and Chatziaros getting their debut at full-back and 17 year old defender Elliott Richardson who spent last season at Macclesfield made his Fylde debut next to Matty Chapman in a new look back four. Tommy Smyth was named in midfield and Anthony Anderson got the start next to him. Bala started on the left wing, Craddock on the right and Hutchinson through the centre. Lyons-Mayman was named as the Striker in a revamped AFC Fylde. Three minutes on the clock when Tommy Smyth spotted the run inside from Bala who took it in his stride and scored his first Fylde goal with a right footed shot! What a start for Fylde and Bala! Fylde had luck to thank on 21 minutes when Rogers came forward and went past Chapman but his shot clipped the bar after beating Breacker. Westwood took the pass at the back from Richardson and played it forward to Bala who drifted inside, took on two players and went for the bottom right corner but the keeper parried it away. It was 1-0 at half-time but Fylde needed another goal to calm the nerves. Fylde looked nervous at the back and Kun had an easy chance to level when Chapman and Richardson couldn't understand what each other were doing and he slotted from close range, poor defending. On 52 minutes that was the end of Richardson's game when we was replaced by Preece and Chatziaros went to centre back. Ron Patterson came on for his debut on 64 minutes replacing Anthony Anderson. Chapman sent the ball forward which was headed away but picked up by Preece on the right, he crossed into the box and Bala headed towards the bottom corner but it was a whisker wide. Tommy Smyth was covering ground and played a great ball wide to Craddock in acres of space, he crossed into the box towards second half substitute Thomas and Bala but Bala was pulled down by McKenzie and the referee awarded the penalty! It's Grant Thomas to get open his account, he goes left and gets it just over the hands of the keeper! 2-1 to Fylde! Chapman used his size to win the aerial balls when it was time to defend for Fylde as ther match went into stoppage time. Great defending by Chapman in the dying minutes and it's a great start for Fylde as they get off to winning ways!
DF: It's a goood start, MK Dons made it hard work for us and pinned us back at times but I've got to give credit for the defence for remaining calm and we eventually won the game from the spot which we done well to convert late on and get the win.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Doncaster Rovers
8th August 2040
=
It was the first home game of the season and a calm, warm evening at Mill Farm was the setting. Ferguson went with Chatziaros and Chapman at the back and Ron Patterson got a start in midfield next to Smyth. New signing Luke Williams was not named in the squad for tonight's fixture. The supporters were looking forward to seeing their rejuvenated side after last year's horror show with the club almost relegated to League Two. Chapman won the header, Patterson passed to Smyth on 5 minutes and he fed it wide to Preece, Preece played a ball across the box to Bala who took it on his right cut inside to the edge of the box and drove the ball into thje bottom right corner! Fylde have a player on their hands here! Another early goal for Bala! Hutchinson took the ball on the edge of the box and played it wide to Westwood who crossed to the near post but it was cleared, Hutchinson picked it up, knocked it on his right foot and found the bottom right corner from the edge of the box with a curling effort, 2-0 on 10 minutes! Westwood took the throw deep in the Doncaster half and Hutchinson knocked it to Bala on the edge of the box, he floated in the cross and Lyons-Mayman headed in his first Fylde goal, 3-0 just after 20 minutes and Fylde are flying! The Duncan Ferguson chant was in full flow at Mill Farm and the manager gave the supporters a wry smile. Breacker goes long with the kick on 40 minutes trying to catch Doncaster out of position, Lyons-Mayman headed it down to Craddock who bombed forward and crossed for Bala but his shot was saved, Hutchinson followed it up and slotted to make it 4-0 before the interval! How delightful is this! Andy Neville came forward down the left for Doncaster, he continued unchallenged and from 35 yards he smashed a driving shot low into the bottom right corner, in off the post with Breacker scrambling for it, 4-1 with 30 minutes to go. Are we going to see a spell in this game for Doncaster? Not if Ron Patterson has his say who wins the ball back in the middle, passing it to his partner Smyth, Smyth played a lofting ball over the defence and Lyons-Mayman looped his header over the keeper to make it 5-1! Doncaster have no chance here. It won't be a hattrick today for John Hutchinson as he's replaced by Stuart Greene on 66 minutes. The youngster Tommy Smyth has been incredible today and the home fans show their support as he leaves the field for Anthony Anderson on 72 minutes. Fylde have been flawless. We have witnessed a very comfortable game for Fylde and if this is how the season is going to play out then teams need to be beware!
PLAYER RATINGS
Gillingham vs AFC Fylde
11th August 2040
=
It was two out of two for Fylde and the team seemed to be gelling early on. Ferguson kept the same side that thrashed Doncaster in midweek for the trip to Gillingham. Bala started off bright taking the ball down the left, cutting in, taking players on with ease but on this occasion his shot went over the bar. He's trying out there today as a minute later he got through on goal again but his shot just went past the post. Smyth played a great ball for Bala to chase down on the left on 11 minutes, he cut it back to Lyons-Mayman who passed to Craddock but his shot was deflected behind. Matty Peters was through on goal when Chatziaros mis-timed the header, he played it to Atkins on the overlap who powered it past Breacker to give the home side a surprising lead on 29 minutes. Now Fylde have a challenge to overcome. Credit to Gillingham who put their bodies on the line to deny Flyde but on 37 minutes Craddock's long ball through the defence allowed Lyons-Mayman to chest past his marker and rifle into the top corner from inside the area, 1-1! Hutchinson took the corner on 55 minutes but it was headed back out, Hutchinson played it first time into the six yard box, Atkins brought down Lyons-Mayman, penalty given! Ron Patterson wanted it and he placed the ball down with confidence, Patterson went for the top right corner but the keeper got his body in the way but somehow it deflected in! 2-1! Patterson opens his account! Fylde made a double change on 66 minutes, Craddock was replaced John Armah and John Hutchinson was replaced by Stuart Greene. Gillingham put Fylde under late pressure and Sean Jordan came on for Chatziaros to help see the game out. Atkins was a handful but brilliant defending from Westwood saw him get in a last ditch tackle. The whistle was blown after three additional minutes and Fylde are off to a great start this season!
DF: Let's not get ahead of ourselves, we have to remember what the league table looked like last season and how tough this league is. I've won it before but that's not necessarily the case. We worked hard today and we will work hard again. We've got another tough away trip on Tuesday to Barnet in the League Cup so selection has to be altered for this trip.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
NO PUNCHES PULLED WITH DANNY ROWE
I'm going to start by saying welcome back gaffer, you are exactly what we need and you understand the ethos of this club. When youi first came you took to each and every one of us and you were like a Father figure to us all. Enough of the past, we had good days and I can feel them slowly returning. The transfer window was a solid 9/10. It would have been perfect if he signed a natural right full back to cover for Jay Preece. I feel we might be a bit light defensively if anything happens to Chatziaros or Chapman but what a duo they look already. Chapman is so cool when the pressure is on and we will benefit from that massively. The midfield are looking stronger, Smyth looks like he is going to have a fantastic season and some of his passing has been mouth watering. He's obviously doing something right to make Man City boss Pep Guardiola mention him. The one player who does have me salivating is Emeka Bala, why have we not seen this talent before? Ferguson has pulled off a masterstroke bringing Bala here on loan. the skill, the lack of fear to beat a man and take a shot, not to mention the work rate, he is special and we are lucky to get to watch him develop here. I believe we are in for a good season but it's still very early doors. We're scoring more goals, which has been a problem at times, we look more assured in our football and the players have clicked instantly. My concern this season will be injuries to our key players, if we lose Bala or Craddock or even Smyth for a long period, it could be worrying. Let's continue on, we have a cup tie next and we want to go as far as we can! Up the Coasters!
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
Bloody hell, cracking stuff from the invincibles. Liquid football.
toffee82
Player Valuation: £25m
Doncaster the first. They won't be walking properly for a while.
When he was just a girl
He expected the world
But it flew away from his reach
So he ran away in his sleep
And dreamed of
Bala Bala Baladise
Bala Bala Baladise
Bala Bala Baladise
Every time he closed his eyes
What a player, he may only fit in size 4 football boots and be the same height as the artist formerly known as Prince, but Bala is special.
When Danny Rowe bigs a player up, you know they must be special
He expected the world
But it flew away from his reach
So he ran away in his sleep
And dreamed of
Bala Bala Baladise
Bala Bala Baladise
Bala Bala Baladise
Every time he closed his eyes
What a player, he may only fit in size 4 football boots and be the same height as the artist formerly known as Prince, but Bala is special.
When Danny Rowe bigs a player up, you know they must be special
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £70m
Can hear the song ringing around the ground now when he misses a sitter
A Bala Balas Gumph
A Bala Balas Gumph
A Bala Balas Gumph Gumph Gumph Gumph Gumph
A Bala Balas Gumph
A Bala Balas Gumph
A Bala Balas Gumph Gumph Gumph Gumph Gumph
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Barnet vs AFC Fylde
League Cup First Round
14th August 2040
This season's League Cup was to get underway this evening and Ferguson made some changes to the team for the trip to Barnet. Dale Alexander, Elliott Richardson and Sean Jordan came into defence. Anderson and Patterson were in midfield. 29 year old Welsh Left Winger Luke Williams was handed his debut, Stuart Greene, John Armah and Grant Thomas all came in up top. With 5 minutes played, Fylde had a corner, Greene played it into the box and Anderson turned his body to hit a first time incredible volley which went right past the keeper and into the net! What a strike! Jason Breacker pulled off a great save ten minutes later when Demspey was one on one and he done brilliantly to parry it. Jay Preece battled down the right to win the ball back and he got the ball into the box, Anderson took a shot and it hit the bar, Thomas followed it up and the keeper got across to push it away, great save. Grant Thomas got on the end of Breacker's long ball on 47 minutes, he played it right to Armah who continued his run and then put it across the box towards the far post and Luke Williams tapped home to double Fylde's lead and score on his debut! Stewart Milby came on for Fylde replacing Ron Patterson with 24 minutes to go. Luke Williams found Jay Preece down the right on 70 minutes, he crossed to the near post and Grant Thomas flicked in the header to make it 3-0! Fylde very comfortable once again and secure a win that sees them through to the Second Round!
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Luton Town
18th August 2040
Fylde were off to a great start winning their first four competitive games, the last time Fylde had a better start was in 2026/27 when they won their first nine games in the National League. Fylde fans were in a jovial mood ahead of kick-off and were pleased with the team news to see Smyth, Craddock, Bala and Lyons-Mayman back in the side. Jay Preece took the corner on 10 minutes, Chapman headed towards goal and Lyons-Mayman knocked it in, 1-0! but no...Lyons-Mayman was in an offside position and that goal is chalked off, he didn't need to touch it. Ron Patterson has been impressive so far with his ability to win the ball back, he done it well in the previous game against Barnet. Tommy Smyth found Bala down the left with a great pass, he cut inside on his right and went for goal and most of the ground thought it went in, so close, just wide. Hutchinson dispossessed Watts and had a clear run to goal, he squared it inside the box for Lyons-Mayman but his shot was blocked, Bala went for goal and it was straight at the keeper, frustration for Fylde as they try for the opener. Hutchinson took the corner on the verge of half-time, Chapman headed down and Bala struck at goal which saw Murphy's reflexes come into action and he tipped it away, great stop. Luton have defended well inside the first half. The whistle was about to go for the end of the first half, Bala picked up the ball on the halfway line, ran forward skipping past Dan Carey, he was yards away from the midfield and the defence held firm, he took a strike from 20 yards and found the bottom right corner, what a goal! Bala again! Magical stuff! Fylde went into half-time leading. Steve Kane was causing Fylde problems on the right, Westwood has got his hands full with him. Preece sent a great ball through the middle for Lyons-Mayman but the keeper stood firm and tipped his shot over the bar. Grant Thomas came on for Lyons-Mayman on 64 minutes. The Fylde defence sat back and allowed Tony Pritchard to come forward on 77 minutes, the fans urged for him to be closed down and he took a dipping shot which Breacker knocked over the bar. Breacker was fuming with his defence after that. Westwood threw the ball to Bala just on the edge of the Luton box, he's been quiet this half but he turned well and crossed to thre far post, Craddock won the header and it crashed against the bar. Bala won Fylde a free-kick with 30 seconds to go and it was enough for them to see out the game. It's another win for Fylde but only by one goal this afternoon.
DF: I'm pleased with the start we've made, it's going to get tougher as the season goes on because we'll have a target on our backs but we need to keep up this level of effort and hopefully it sees us picking up points.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Barnsley
21st August 2040
Barnsley were off to a poor start in League One losing three of their first four and awaiting their first win. With Fylde off to a great start, the odds were stacked against them tonight although they are considered a strong side after being relegated from The Championship. The same side took to the field that beat Luton a few days earlier and it will be a fantastic start to their league campaign if they can make it five out of five. Lyons-Mayman won the flick on and Craddock went past his man on the right and crossed for Smyth in the box but it was headed away, Craddock took the ball down nicely and drifted inside looking for the shot but he teed off Smyth who hit a nice side footed effort from the edge of the box into the top right corner, 1-0! A beautiful strike from Smyth! Smyth chased down the loose ball on 10 minutes and played it wide to Preece who was in space, he knocked it down the line for Craddock who crossed into the box and Bala was there to volley in from close range and grab his 4th of the season! Bala was allowed to run at the defence and took a shot on 28 minutes trying to find the bottom corner but the keeper done enough to push it away. Jay Preece was doing a good job in defence, he has been playing well this season so far. Veza played a ball into the box on 53 minutes and Westwood headed into his own penalty area for Jake Reay to take it down and grab a goal back for Barnsley, terrible decision by Westwood. Fylde came out from the kick off and Bala knocked it back to Patterson who struck the bar from outside the box. Tommy Smyth went down holding his knee on 57 minutes and had to go off, Anthony Anderson came on and hopefully it's not a bad injury to Smyth who was just coming into good form. Not long after coming on, with less than 10 minutes to go, Anderson had to go off with a thigh injury, hopefully nothing too serious which would leave Fylde short in midfield. Stuart Greene came on in midfield. It's Barnsley with the upper hand and they caught Fylde out of sorts as the ball came into the box for Reddington who got in between Chapman and Chatziaros to level in injury time! Greene played the ball out wide for Alexander on the left but the referee blew up for full-time and Fylde's winning streak comes to an end after a late equaliser from Barnsley.
DF: A couple of injuries set us back in the second half and I'd say we went defensive too soon trying to hold our lead. Tommy [Smyth] is ok, he'll be in with the physio tomorrow but I think he'll be fine for Wimbledon. Anthony [Anderson] has a slight quadricep injury so he might be rested for Wimbledon this weekend.
PLAYER RATINGS
League Cup First Round
14th August 2040
=
This season's League Cup was to get underway this evening and Ferguson made some changes to the team for the trip to Barnet. Dale Alexander, Elliott Richardson and Sean Jordan came into defence. Anderson and Patterson were in midfield. 29 year old Welsh Left Winger Luke Williams was handed his debut, Stuart Greene, John Armah and Grant Thomas all came in up top. With 5 minutes played, Fylde had a corner, Greene played it into the box and Anderson turned his body to hit a first time incredible volley which went right past the keeper and into the net! What a strike! Jason Breacker pulled off a great save ten minutes later when Demspey was one on one and he done brilliantly to parry it. Jay Preece battled down the right to win the ball back and he got the ball into the box, Anderson took a shot and it hit the bar, Thomas followed it up and the keeper got across to push it away, great save. Grant Thomas got on the end of Breacker's long ball on 47 minutes, he played it right to Armah who continued his run and then put it across the box towards the far post and Luke Williams tapped home to double Fylde's lead and score on his debut! Stewart Milby came on for Fylde replacing Ron Patterson with 24 minutes to go. Luke Williams found Jay Preece down the right on 70 minutes, he crossed to the near post and Grant Thomas flicked in the header to make it 3-0! Fylde very comfortable once again and secure a win that sees them through to the Second Round!
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Luton Town
18th August 2040
=
Fylde were off to a great start winning their first four competitive games, the last time Fylde had a better start was in 2026/27 when they won their first nine games in the National League. Fylde fans were in a jovial mood ahead of kick-off and were pleased with the team news to see Smyth, Craddock, Bala and Lyons-Mayman back in the side. Jay Preece took the corner on 10 minutes, Chapman headed towards goal and Lyons-Mayman knocked it in, 1-0! but no...Lyons-Mayman was in an offside position and that goal is chalked off, he didn't need to touch it. Ron Patterson has been impressive so far with his ability to win the ball back, he done it well in the previous game against Barnet. Tommy Smyth found Bala down the left with a great pass, he cut inside on his right and went for goal and most of the ground thought it went in, so close, just wide. Hutchinson dispossessed Watts and had a clear run to goal, he squared it inside the box for Lyons-Mayman but his shot was blocked, Bala went for goal and it was straight at the keeper, frustration for Fylde as they try for the opener. Hutchinson took the corner on the verge of half-time, Chapman headed down and Bala struck at goal which saw Murphy's reflexes come into action and he tipped it away, great stop. Luton have defended well inside the first half. The whistle was about to go for the end of the first half, Bala picked up the ball on the halfway line, ran forward skipping past Dan Carey, he was yards away from the midfield and the defence held firm, he took a strike from 20 yards and found the bottom right corner, what a goal! Bala again! Magical stuff! Fylde went into half-time leading. Steve Kane was causing Fylde problems on the right, Westwood has got his hands full with him. Preece sent a great ball through the middle for Lyons-Mayman but the keeper stood firm and tipped his shot over the bar. Grant Thomas came on for Lyons-Mayman on 64 minutes. The Fylde defence sat back and allowed Tony Pritchard to come forward on 77 minutes, the fans urged for him to be closed down and he took a dipping shot which Breacker knocked over the bar. Breacker was fuming with his defence after that. Westwood threw the ball to Bala just on the edge of the Luton box, he's been quiet this half but he turned well and crossed to thre far post, Craddock won the header and it crashed against the bar. Bala won Fylde a free-kick with 30 seconds to go and it was enough for them to see out the game. It's another win for Fylde but only by one goal this afternoon.
DF: I'm pleased with the start we've made, it's going to get tougher as the season goes on because we'll have a target on our backs but we need to keep up this level of effort and hopefully it sees us picking up points.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Barnsley
21st August 2040
=
Barnsley were off to a poor start in League One losing three of their first four and awaiting their first win. With Fylde off to a great start, the odds were stacked against them tonight although they are considered a strong side after being relegated from The Championship. The same side took to the field that beat Luton a few days earlier and it will be a fantastic start to their league campaign if they can make it five out of five. Lyons-Mayman won the flick on and Craddock went past his man on the right and crossed for Smyth in the box but it was headed away, Craddock took the ball down nicely and drifted inside looking for the shot but he teed off Smyth who hit a nice side footed effort from the edge of the box into the top right corner, 1-0! A beautiful strike from Smyth! Smyth chased down the loose ball on 10 minutes and played it wide to Preece who was in space, he knocked it down the line for Craddock who crossed into the box and Bala was there to volley in from close range and grab his 4th of the season! Bala was allowed to run at the defence and took a shot on 28 minutes trying to find the bottom corner but the keeper done enough to push it away. Jay Preece was doing a good job in defence, he has been playing well this season so far. Veza played a ball into the box on 53 minutes and Westwood headed into his own penalty area for Jake Reay to take it down and grab a goal back for Barnsley, terrible decision by Westwood. Fylde came out from the kick off and Bala knocked it back to Patterson who struck the bar from outside the box. Tommy Smyth went down holding his knee on 57 minutes and had to go off, Anthony Anderson came on and hopefully it's not a bad injury to Smyth who was just coming into good form. Not long after coming on, with less than 10 minutes to go, Anderson had to go off with a thigh injury, hopefully nothing too serious which would leave Fylde short in midfield. Stuart Greene came on in midfield. It's Barnsley with the upper hand and they caught Fylde out of sorts as the ball came into the box for Reddington who got in between Chapman and Chatziaros to level in injury time! Greene played the ball out wide for Alexander on the left but the referee blew up for full-time and Fylde's winning streak comes to an end after a late equaliser from Barnsley.
DF: A couple of injuries set us back in the second half and I'd say we went defensive too soon trying to hold our lead. Tommy [Smyth] is ok, he'll be in with the physio tomorrow but I think he'll be fine for Wimbledon. Anthony [Anderson] has a slight quadricep injury so he might be rested for Wimbledon this weekend.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
We're gonna win the 'kin lot this year.
UTFC
UTFC
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
LEAGUE CUP SECOND ROUND DRAW
=
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
EFL TROPHY GROUP STAGE DRAW
Fylde will play Mansfield Town in the group stage round 1 game on 4th September followed by Newcastle U23's on 9th October and the final group game against Tranmere Rovers will take place on 13th November.
Hey Fylde don't be so bad
Take a Bala and make it better
Remember to let me into your fridge
Then you'll begin to make it better
BETTER BETTER BETTER BETTER
WOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH
BA BA BA BALA BALA
BALA BALA
EMEKA
BA BA BA BALA BALA
BALA BALA
EMEKA
I swear Paul McCartney was lucky that my band the Dung Beatles didn't quite hit it off otherwise he'd probably be working in the checkouts in Kwik Save still.
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
Hope we release that as our FA Cup song this year.