MONEY: FAB FYLDE CAN STILL WIN PROMOTION

RICHARD Money reckons AFC Fylde have what it takes to win promotion after watching his Solihull Moors side swept aside at the Automated Technology Stadium.

Bottom-of-the-table Moors suffered their heaviest defeat of the National League so far, conceding two goals just before halftime and two more in the final 14 minutes of the second half.

Jonny Smith and Danny Rowe netted following setpieces in quickfire strikes on the stroke of half-time before skipper Sam Finley and Jack Muldoon wrapped up the points.

Fylde lie 16th, 11 points behind leaders Dover in their first season in the National League, but Moors boss Money is tipping them to become the team to beat.

“I’ve seen 16-18 teams in the league now and they are the best team, in my opinion, by some stretch,” said Money.

“There aren’t as many teams that are as organised, as tough to play against than Fylde. I told Dave [Challinor] at the end of the game ‘I think you will go up’. I thought they were excellent.

“Our front three were not allowed to do anything; every time they had the ball their defenders were tight up their backside. Their shape in midfield was tough to play through, and they took their chances. Their third goal was magnificent. I would be doing cartwheels if I was on their touchline.”

There had been nothing between the two teams in the opening 40 minutes in a contest with few chances and little drama. But that changed on 44 minutes when the Coasters went ahead. Finley fired in a corner and when the loose ball fell to Smith he calmly slotted home past a ruck of defenders and keeper Nick Townsend. Moors, who had had the better early chances with Jermaine Hylton and Darren Carter having efforts blocked, were shellshocked and it got worse in stoppage time. Rowe lined up a 35-yard free-kick and his rightfooter was deflected via defender Shepherd Murombedzi to fly into the net. Coasters boss Challinor admitted it was fortunate but they took control, soaking up a Moors flurry of pressure and then hitting back with a scintillating third goal on the counterattack on 76 minutes – Rowe flicking on for Finley who guided a low shot into the net. Tasdemir was integral to the fourth four minutes from time, his quick feet leaving a defender totally befuddled before crossing for Muldoon to lash home into the roof of the net. “The scoreline flattered us but the most pleasing thing was the clean sheet and how the players put their bodies on the line to stop shots going in,” said Challinor. “Goals change games and getting two goals just before half-time gave a completely different complexion to the game. We need to keep building and put a run together.”