SLOPPY DABBERS DENIED BY FYLDE REVIVAL

ROUNDUP

AFC FYLDE mounted a stirring comeback from 3-0 down at Nantwich Town to avoid a third successive preseason defeat.

Two goals from Steve Jones and a stunner from Jonny Kapend had put the Dabbers three goals up before Danny Rowe, Sam Finley and Matt Blinkhorn pulled Fylde level.

Nantwich took the lead after seven minutes as Jones found himself all alone in the penalty area to blast the ball past the stranded Paul White and doubled their lead as the same man rounded the keeper before slotting home.The home side made it three shortly after the break as Kapend scored with a terrific longrange strike.

Rowe began Fylde’s fightback with a rasping right-foot drive followed shortly by a calm finish from Finley after a mazy run. Blinkhorn levelled things up with an instinctive finish following Rowe’s deflected free-kick.

Elsewhere, a Rochdale XI proved too strong for Curzon Ashton, winning 3-1.

It only took ten minutes for Dale to take the lead after Curzon lost the ball in their defensive half, a smart ball forward found Nathanial Mendez-Liang who strolled into the box and slotted home. Nine minutes later Joe Bunney made it two, powerfully finishing a one-on-one.

Curzon did have their moments but failed to take the chances when they presented themselves.

New signing Paul Ennis did pull one back for the hosts but Rochdale restored their two goal advantage through Mendez-Liang.

Newly promoted Salford City were beaten 4-1 by League One Fleetwood Town, Michael Nottingham notching the only goal for the home side.

From National League South, Ebbsfleet were 5-0 victors in their first preseason clash on English soil at Deal Town while Margate held AFC Wimbledon to a 1-1 draw.

Former Sutton man Tom Bolarinwa netted for new club Grimsby as they won 1-0 at Alfreton and Woking were 2-1 victors at Gosport Borough.