AFC FYLDE TOO HOT FOR DARLO
Rowe’s double downs Darlo
AFC FYLDE took a huge step towards promotion to Non-League’s top tier after a thumping win over play-off hopefuls Darlington.
Top scorer Danny Rowe netted twice, adding to goals from Sam Finley and Dan Bradley, to move the Coasters nine points clear at the top with five games to go.
Coasters manager Dave Challinor had called for a reaction following his side’s 4-1 defeat to Nuneaton last weekend and he was pleased to see his players deliver.
“It was a brilliant performance,” said Challinor. “In the end, we ran out convincing winners but it could have been a very sticky game.
“We thoroughly deserved to win the game and it was the best that we’ve played for a long time. It was a complete team performance.”
After less than eight minutes, Fylde lifted the roof off Mill Farm in emphatic style.
The ball fell to Finley 30 yards out. He chested it down before unleashing a sensational volley into the top corner of Adam Bartlett’s goal.
Darlington’s first chance came after 12 minutes. David Ferguson found space inside the Fylde box but headed his effort onto the roof of the home side’s net.
The game then had to wait for the 32nd minute for the next chance of note. Josh Langley’s tackle on Josh Falkingham put the ball into the path of Ferguson who lashed a wild effort over the bar.
Fylde should have had a twogoal lead a minute later. A delicate touch from Rowe sent him one-on-one with Bartlett. Rowe opted to round the keeper who stood up well to deny the league’s top scorer.
The Coasters continued to knock on the door for their second goal. Andy Bond burst through the centre before lashing a low effort inches wide of the post.
Play-off chasing Darlington weathered the storm and started the second half brightly. Mark Beck set up Falkingham who sliced his 20-yard strike over the bar.
Beck then went close with a chip that was smothered by Rhys Taylor before Kevin Burgess headed wide from just two yards out.
Against the run of play, Fylde got their second. Bradley’s cross fell kindly to Rowe who rifled his left-footed shot through Bartlett.
Beck nearly brought Darlington back into the game with just over 20 minutes to go. The towering striker powered a header at the Fylde goal but Taylor claimed it well.
Fylde then set out to kill the game. Bohan Dixon’s header crashed against the post and into the arms of Bartlett before the Darlington keeper was on hand to deny Rowe.
Darlington wrestled themselves back into the contest with just over ten minutes to go. Gary Brown headed home from a Terry Galbraith corner to set up an anxious finale.
That was until, just seconds later, the Coasters’ two-goal lead was restored. Matty Hughes cut inside and played an inch perfect pass to Bradley who finished clinically.
Fylde secured the points with four minutes to go as Rowe scored from the spot after Burgess handled Dixon’s shot.