CHALLINOR’S CHAT WORKS WONDERS FOR FYLDE

AFC FYLDE 2 Byrne 68, Birch 89 MAIDSTONE UNITED 0

AFC FYLDE returned to winning ways in the National League only after boss Dave Challinor’s stern half-time team talk.

It had the desired effect as second half goals from Neill Byrne and Arlen Birch strengthened the Coasters position in the play-off places while Maidstone now hover just above the relegation zone.

Challinor said: “We had a few words at half-time and the lads took it up a gear in the last 30 minutes, and we're pleased with the three points.”

The improving visitors started brightly and had the first chance of the game. A low Jake Cassidy cross from the right was met by new signing Jack Powell, who slipped as his effort went wide of the near post.

Fylde responded and Byrn’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by Jack Paxman.

On 20 minutes Joe Cardle caused problems for the visitors, crossing for England C star James Hardy, whose header lacked the power to test goalkeeper Lee Worgan.

The dangerous Blair Turgott grew into the game for the visitors and had a low shot from the edge of the box well saved by Jay Lynch, who then rushed out to deny Cassidy a clearcut chance just minutes later.

Fylde almost went infront of the stroke of half time as Birch’s cross was diverted inches wide of his own net by Nana Twumasi.

Maidstone started the second half the brighter and almost profited from some sloppy passing from the Coasters. Turgott had a good chance from 12 yards but the Stones best chance fell to Paxman whose volley from 18 yards came back off the post. A superb pass on the turn from Cardle presented Andy Bond with a glorious chance one-onone with Worgan but he fired over. Five minutes later the deadlock was finally broken. Another dangerous corner from Cardle was met by Byrne and flicked a header past Worgan into the bottom left corner to claim his first Coasters goal. Hardy and Danny Philliskirk tried their luck with efforts from range before the hosts made the game safe in style. A corner from Cardle was cleared as far as Ryan Croasdale and he teed the ball up for Birch to try his luck from 25 yards with his effort flying into the bottom corner. Fylde are back in the play-off race again and are now up to sixth but Maidstone, under newly installed boss Harry Wheeler, are not yet out of trouble. Wheeler said: “The first goal killed the game plan, I thought we played well until then, but the header allowed Fylde to take control of the game.”

STAR MAN: Arlen Birch (AFC Fylde) ATT: 1,507 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★☆☆ REFEREE: Matthew Dicicco 7/10