DANNY BOY BLOWS RAVENS AWAY
ADANNY Rowe screamer proved to be the difference as the Coasters got their season off to the perfect start.
Last season’s National League top-scorer proved why he continues to be a striker in demand with a winner of the highest quality midway through the second half.
Collecting a pass on the right touchline, Rowe feinted past two defenders before curling a left-foot strike into the top corner.
Fylde have already turned down a six-figure offer from Cheltenham for Rowe and made him their highest paid player, with the 28-year-old giving every indication why he will be integral to any success Fylde have this season.
Coasters manager Dave Challinor was effusive in his praise for Rowe’s intervention.
He said: “Our winning goal came out of nothing but it was a goal fit enough to win any game. Danny has that ability and we know what he can do. He is a matchwinner
“We couldn’t get a foothold in the game in the first 20 minutes but we had some decent phases once we settled down.”
The match itself was largely an even affair but one that Fylde created the better chances in throughout. As early as the third minute Danny Philliskirk’s one-two with James Hardy resulted in the former side-footing wide when well set in the penalty area.
Bromley’s high press was effective with regards to not allowing Fylde time to settle but other than a Marc-Anthony Okoye header from a Frankie Sutherland corner, they failed to really threaten.
Jack Holland had to be alert to stop a goalbound Rowe volley after good work from Hardy before Okoye blocked Luke Burke’s effort.
With Fylde in the ascendancy, summer signing Joe Cardle then sent a 20-yard drive just over David Gregory’s crossbar.
It seemed inevitable that the home side would eventually take the lead and they did so on the stroke of half-time.
Dan Johnson failed to stop Cardle’s cross and Coasters’ skipper Andy Bond was able to ghost in past the static defence to tap into an open net.
In response to the goal, Ravens’ boss Neil Smith made an early change in the second half bringing on Bobby-Joe Taylor and switching to a 4-4-2.
The change seemed to do the trick and led to a series of opportunities on the hour mark as the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser.
First, George Porter headed wide from a Frankie Sutherland free-kick before the Ravens levelled with a wellworked goal.
Frankie Raymond’s quick feet released Jordan Higgs into space just outside the penalty area and the young midfielder was able to nutmeg his marker and drive towards goal before slotting the ball underneath Lynch.
Smith was left fuming at how his side had conceded the first goal but was pleased with the response after the break.
He said: “We switched off (for the first goal) and it was a disappointing way to concede with only two minutes to go to the interval. We wanted to push on in the second half and we put wingers on and Jordan responded with an excellent goal.”
STAR MAN: James Hardy (AFC Fylde) ATT: 1,227 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Joe Hull