The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Bristol City vs AFC Fylde
League Cup Third Round
26th September 2040
Championship strugglers against League One high fliers in what could be an interesting encounter. Ferguson stated Fylde will go there and challenge themselves against better opposition looking to reach the Fourth Round of the League Cup for only the second time. The last time coming in the 2022/23 season losing to Leeds United by a single Matty Cash goal. Fylde made one change and it was John Armah on the right wing for Patrick Craddock. David Hill, who was on loan at Fylde last season started for Bristol City up top. There were some early challenges going in, this one could be a fiesty game. Westwood and Land were having a good battle down the left today with Westwood coming out on top in the early exchanges. Armah got the ball out to Preece on 29 minutes and he crossed first time, Bala was coming in at the far post but he headed wide, nice idea and nice cross. David Hill came wide for Bristol City to get more involved with the game in the second half. Anderson came on for Patterson with just over 20 minutes to go but it didn't stop Ibrahima Daffe from converting the free-kick 25 yards out a minute later to make it 1-0 to Bristol City. Craddock and Thomas came on for the last 13 minutes for Armah and Lyons-Mayman. Bala knocked it down for Smyth from Westwood's clearance, Smyth sprayed it to the right for Craddock who came forward and passed inside to Hutchinson who went for goal getting the ball through the keepers legs but deflecting off his back leg and out for a corner. Hutchinson played the ball in and Chapman's header was easy for the keeper. The board went up for an additional four minutes and Bristol City slowed the game down, going down when they could and taking their time with throw-ins. It was the end of the road in the League Cup for Fylde and Bristol City advance to the fourth round.
DF: There's no complaints, we lost to a set-piece and had a couple of chances to get back into it but it didn't happen for us. I thought we broke up play well tonight and played some good football, it just wasn't to be in terms of the result.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs AFC Telford
29th September 2040
Fans were surprised when they noticed Bala and Smyth were on the bench for this with Thomas and Anderson coming in. The thinking behind it must be the tough mid-week trip to Oldham in a few days time. The first half was a quiet affair with Telford having the only real chance on goal from Derek Taylor who went off injured before half-time. Fylde were wasteful and they looked absent of a plan. Tommy Smyth came on with 30 minutes to go replacing Anthony Anderson. Emeka Bala came on 5 minutes later for Grant Thomas, Fylde really need some magic today. Time was running out and Fylde just did not look interested out there, minutes remained when Patterson played a short pass to Craddock, he got down the right and crossed into the box, Bala went up for the header but was obstructed by Terry Baker. Penalty given! Tommy Smyth made his way into the penalty area taking the ball and placing it on the spot. The 19 year old, not phased by the pressure stepping up confidently against Nixon. Smyth went right, the keeper guessed the same way and the ball hit the post and rolled across the line, Smyth sprinted to the ball and knocked it in! 1-0 to Fylde! They left it late today but it's still a win despite the poor performance.
DF: We play like that and nine times out of ten, we lose. That was poor and there was no real conviction today. I'll be letting the players know what I think and that we can't just turn up against bottom of the league thinking it's job done. Confidence is high but maybe a little too high but the season hasn't even started yet and I'm seeing smiles at full-time! Oldham will be a tougher test, they won't allow us not to be at our best.
PLAYER RATINGS
Oldham Athletic vs AFC Fylde
2nd October 2040
After back to back Player of the Month awards, Emeka Bala was keen to maintain his impressive form and he was receiving praise from the footballing world. Brighton manager Nicolas Otamendi was impressed with Bala whilst on loan at Fylde and gave praise to the coaching staff at Fylde for the development of his talented asset. Matty Chapman was dropped to the bench and 18 year old Elliott Richardson got his third start of the season. Stuart Greene started the match in Attacking Midfield and John Armah was preferred on the right over Patrick Craddock. Neville-Spearritt got an early yellow card for the foul on Preece, Preece took the free-kick on 7 minutes and passed to Tommy Smyth who played a short pass to Stuart Greene, he fancied a shot and noticed the keeper was off his line and punted the ball into the top left corner beating the keeper! Tommy Smyth exchanged passes with Stuart Greene and played it to Armah who ran forward then struck a low shot towards the bottom corner but the keeper got across nicely to tip it wide. Fylde were playing well and looked relaxed in possession but the Oldham fans were right behind their team and they put some pressure on Fylde towards the end of the first half. O'Keefe went up against Westwood and went right past him, crossed for Neville-Spearritt and his header was just kept out by Breacker who had to scramble to stop it going in. Oldham started the second half and got lucky with a cross that hit the post, Greene was under pressure in possession but done well to play out of it and found Smyth who had great vision to see Armah in space on the right, he came forward and went for goal but the shot was no problem for Billy Price. Armah had another chance on 50 minutes which was comfortably saved and Emeka Bala was livid with him for taking on the shot. Bala being kept quiet this evening by David Henshall. Fylde had a chance from the free-kick 20 yards out, Smyth went for goal and forced Price into a great save, Richardson was first to the ball who almost lost it to O'Keefe but chipped it towards goal and managed to get it over the keeper! 2-0 Fylde and Elliott Richardson scored his first senior goal for the club he has been with since he was 9 years old! Straight over to the supporters he used to stand with on away days! Dale Alexander was the first change for Fylde replacing Kieran Westwood on 74 minutes. Fylde have been top drawer tonight and have made a statement with a win against Oldham in their back garden. Supporters cheered their team off the field and it is looking like the start of a good season for The Coasters who are joint top with Plymouth and Hull.
DF: We came here tonight and dug deep to get that win and we played really well. Stuart Greene stepped up and scored a fabulous goal, Smyth was the architect out there today and for a young lad he had a very mature match. Richardson scored his first goal and I couldn't be happier for him plus keeping a clean sheet.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Cardiff City
6th October 2040
Recently relegated Cardiff sat in mid-table as their promotion hopes seemed off to a stuttering start. Ferguson selected his favoured side led my Lyons-Mayman and Matty Chapman and John Hutchinson were back in the team despite Richardson and Greene playing well in midweek. Fylde had an early chance when Bala slid the ball through for Lyons-Mayman but his shot was wide of the post. News filtered around Mill Farm after 9 minutes that Plymouth were a goal down to Wimbledon which gave the supporters encouragement. Patterson won the ball back with an excellent slide tackle and Smyth played a sublime ball over the defence for Lyons-Mayman, he had sight of goal and the keeper was quick off his line to deny him, a Striker should be scoring from there! Bala came forward and switched the play to Craddock, he switched it back and Bala went for the volley which went over the bar from inside the area. The second half started and Lyons-Mayman switched with Bala who went up top. Hutchinson nodded it down for Smyth who played it forward to Bala, he dribbled towards the box with step overs and passed left to Smyth whose side footed effort went just over the bar. The issue Fylde have is Lyons-Mayman can't do the same work as Emeka Bala and is not creative enough which results in Bala being isolated up top. Grant Thomas came on for Lyons-Mayman on 59 minutes. Thomas played the ball down the left side for Westwood to chase and he just kept it in, he got the cross in which went over everyone in the box and a back peddling Bala won the header finding the back of the net! Fylde have the opener! The Coasters saw out the rest of the match and got their 10th win of the season putting them at the top of the table!
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
League Cup Third Round
26th September 2040
=
Championship strugglers against League One high fliers in what could be an interesting encounter. Ferguson stated Fylde will go there and challenge themselves against better opposition looking to reach the Fourth Round of the League Cup for only the second time. The last time coming in the 2022/23 season losing to Leeds United by a single Matty Cash goal. Fylde made one change and it was John Armah on the right wing for Patrick Craddock. David Hill, who was on loan at Fylde last season started for Bristol City up top. There were some early challenges going in, this one could be a fiesty game. Westwood and Land were having a good battle down the left today with Westwood coming out on top in the early exchanges. Armah got the ball out to Preece on 29 minutes and he crossed first time, Bala was coming in at the far post but he headed wide, nice idea and nice cross. David Hill came wide for Bristol City to get more involved with the game in the second half. Anderson came on for Patterson with just over 20 minutes to go but it didn't stop Ibrahima Daffe from converting the free-kick 25 yards out a minute later to make it 1-0 to Bristol City. Craddock and Thomas came on for the last 13 minutes for Armah and Lyons-Mayman. Bala knocked it down for Smyth from Westwood's clearance, Smyth sprayed it to the right for Craddock who came forward and passed inside to Hutchinson who went for goal getting the ball through the keepers legs but deflecting off his back leg and out for a corner. Hutchinson played the ball in and Chapman's header was easy for the keeper. The board went up for an additional four minutes and Bristol City slowed the game down, going down when they could and taking their time with throw-ins. It was the end of the road in the League Cup for Fylde and Bristol City advance to the fourth round.
DF: There's no complaints, we lost to a set-piece and had a couple of chances to get back into it but it didn't happen for us. I thought we broke up play well tonight and played some good football, it just wasn't to be in terms of the result.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs AFC Telford
29th September 2040
=
Fans were surprised when they noticed Bala and Smyth were on the bench for this with Thomas and Anderson coming in. The thinking behind it must be the tough mid-week trip to Oldham in a few days time. The first half was a quiet affair with Telford having the only real chance on goal from Derek Taylor who went off injured before half-time. Fylde were wasteful and they looked absent of a plan. Tommy Smyth came on with 30 minutes to go replacing Anthony Anderson. Emeka Bala came on 5 minutes later for Grant Thomas, Fylde really need some magic today. Time was running out and Fylde just did not look interested out there, minutes remained when Patterson played a short pass to Craddock, he got down the right and crossed into the box, Bala went up for the header but was obstructed by Terry Baker. Penalty given! Tommy Smyth made his way into the penalty area taking the ball and placing it on the spot. The 19 year old, not phased by the pressure stepping up confidently against Nixon. Smyth went right, the keeper guessed the same way and the ball hit the post and rolled across the line, Smyth sprinted to the ball and knocked it in! 1-0 to Fylde! They left it late today but it's still a win despite the poor performance.
DF: We play like that and nine times out of ten, we lose. That was poor and there was no real conviction today. I'll be letting the players know what I think and that we can't just turn up against bottom of the league thinking it's job done. Confidence is high but maybe a little too high but the season hasn't even started yet and I'm seeing smiles at full-time! Oldham will be a tougher test, they won't allow us not to be at our best.
PLAYER RATINGS
Oldham Athletic vs AFC Fylde
2nd October 2040
=
After back to back Player of the Month awards, Emeka Bala was keen to maintain his impressive form and he was receiving praise from the footballing world. Brighton manager Nicolas Otamendi was impressed with Bala whilst on loan at Fylde and gave praise to the coaching staff at Fylde for the development of his talented asset. Matty Chapman was dropped to the bench and 18 year old Elliott Richardson got his third start of the season. Stuart Greene started the match in Attacking Midfield and John Armah was preferred on the right over Patrick Craddock. Neville-Spearritt got an early yellow card for the foul on Preece, Preece took the free-kick on 7 minutes and passed to Tommy Smyth who played a short pass to Stuart Greene, he fancied a shot and noticed the keeper was off his line and punted the ball into the top left corner beating the keeper! Tommy Smyth exchanged passes with Stuart Greene and played it to Armah who ran forward then struck a low shot towards the bottom corner but the keeper got across nicely to tip it wide. Fylde were playing well and looked relaxed in possession but the Oldham fans were right behind their team and they put some pressure on Fylde towards the end of the first half. O'Keefe went up against Westwood and went right past him, crossed for Neville-Spearritt and his header was just kept out by Breacker who had to scramble to stop it going in. Oldham started the second half and got lucky with a cross that hit the post, Greene was under pressure in possession but done well to play out of it and found Smyth who had great vision to see Armah in space on the right, he came forward and went for goal but the shot was no problem for Billy Price. Armah had another chance on 50 minutes which was comfortably saved and Emeka Bala was livid with him for taking on the shot. Bala being kept quiet this evening by David Henshall. Fylde had a chance from the free-kick 20 yards out, Smyth went for goal and forced Price into a great save, Richardson was first to the ball who almost lost it to O'Keefe but chipped it towards goal and managed to get it over the keeper! 2-0 Fylde and Elliott Richardson scored his first senior goal for the club he has been with since he was 9 years old! Straight over to the supporters he used to stand with on away days! Dale Alexander was the first change for Fylde replacing Kieran Westwood on 74 minutes. Fylde have been top drawer tonight and have made a statement with a win against Oldham in their back garden. Supporters cheered their team off the field and it is looking like the start of a good season for The Coasters who are joint top with Plymouth and Hull.
DF: We came here tonight and dug deep to get that win and we played really well. Stuart Greene stepped up and scored a fabulous goal, Smyth was the architect out there today and for a young lad he had a very mature match. Richardson scored his first goal and I couldn't be happier for him plus keeping a clean sheet.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Cardiff City
6th October 2040
=
Recently relegated Cardiff sat in mid-table as their promotion hopes seemed off to a stuttering start. Ferguson selected his favoured side led my Lyons-Mayman and Matty Chapman and John Hutchinson were back in the team despite Richardson and Greene playing well in midweek. Fylde had an early chance when Bala slid the ball through for Lyons-Mayman but his shot was wide of the post. News filtered around Mill Farm after 9 minutes that Plymouth were a goal down to Wimbledon which gave the supporters encouragement. Patterson won the ball back with an excellent slide tackle and Smyth played a sublime ball over the defence for Lyons-Mayman, he had sight of goal and the keeper was quick off his line to deny him, a Striker should be scoring from there! Bala came forward and switched the play to Craddock, he switched it back and Bala went for the volley which went over the bar from inside the area. The second half started and Lyons-Mayman switched with Bala who went up top. Hutchinson nodded it down for Smyth who played it forward to Bala, he dribbled towards the box with step overs and passed left to Smyth whose side footed effort went just over the bar. The issue Fylde have is Lyons-Mayman can't do the same work as Emeka Bala and is not creative enough which results in Bala being isolated up top. Grant Thomas came on for Lyons-Mayman on 59 minutes. Thomas played the ball down the left side for Westwood to chase and he just kept it in, he got the cross in which went over everyone in the box and a back peddling Bala won the header finding the back of the net! Fylde have the opener! The Coasters saw out the rest of the match and got their 10th win of the season putting them at the top of the table!
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
