COASTERS CAN NOW DREAM OF A BIG GUN
AFC FYLDE will help fly the Non-League flag into the third round, where they will play for the first time in their short history.
Goals at either end of the first half made the difference as the National League side showed their extra quality against Isthmian League Kingstonian over an entertaining 90 minutes.
Coasters manager Jim Bentley has overseen a turnaround in his side’s fortunes since his appointment in October.
And he recognised the importance of the victory. He told The NLP: “It’s a very loud dressing room in there. The chairman went in there to join the celebrations. And it’s our Christmas party tonight, so the celebrations will continue.
“I said this was an important week for the club and so it has proved.”
However, he also recognised the importance of his side’s second goal, in the depths of first-half stoppage-time.
“It gave us momentum when we needed it,” he said. “Because at 2-0 up we didn’t play as well as we had been doing.
“The goal quietened their crowd and you could see it deflated them.
“But I was delighted with the lads and I thought we were worth the win.”
After both sides had threatening early moments, the Coasters went ahead on eight minutes.
Kingstonian halfcleared a corner and another cross which fell to Jordan Williams on the edge of the penalty area.
And his sweetly-struck low left-foot drive took a key deflection to wrong-foot Ks keeper Rob Tolfrey.
Clear first-half chances were at a premium, with the visitors’ defence in particularly dominant form.
However, Fylde grew in strength and confidence as half-time approached.
Tolfrey saved superbly low to his left to keep out Ryan Croasdale’s right-foot shot on 33 minutes.
And the lively Danny Rowe twice came close with efforts from outside the box.
But the killer blow to the game as a contest came with seconds of stoppage time left.
Ks centre-back Ollie Cook struggled with a cross from the left and Tolfrey could only divert Dan Bradley’s shot into the path of Williams, who side-footed home from four yards.
The game drifted immediately after the break before Ks embarked on their one concerted spell of pressure.
The previously well-shackled Louie Theophanous brought a good near-post save from Coasters keeper Sam Hornby after an excellent pitch-length move on 58 minutes.
Hornby saved low to his left when Dan Hector tried his luck from 20 yards, three minutes later. But the impressive Williams forced Tolfrey into a good save with a cheeky flick.
And after Hornby gathered Reece Hall’s long-range effort on 67 minutes, Fylde regained their composure.
Indeed, Williams wasted a glorious late chance to complete his hat-trick with a minute left, blazing over from eight yards. Theophanous shot straight at Hornby in stoppage-time, to end all hopes of a Ks comeback. But Ks manager Hayden Bird was a proud man after the game.
“We had our moments in the game. There were opportunities at 0-0, 1-0 and in the second half. And one goal at any time would have changed the dynamic of the game.
“Against sides like Fylde, you have to be good on the ball and move them around. And in fairness, they did a really good job on us. But I’m proud of the team, the supporters and the club. We’ve come a long way in recent times.”
The last word, though, was Bentley’s. Asked who he wanted in tomorrow’s draw, the Liverpool native was as firm and decisive as his defenders: “Everton”.