Adele Matthews reports from Mill Farm
Aldershot Town’s hopes to secure a second consecutive win were cut short by Lancashire side AFC Fylde following a 3-0 defeat at Mill Farm.
Two quick goals in the final five minutes of the first half gave the home side ammunition to deliver another in the second half. With two chances cleared off the line by George Fowler and Lewis Kinsella in the first half, it was clear that Fylde were confident in their application.
However, the Shots did have a few opportunities on goal when a deft touch from James Rowe found Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong on the left wing. His shot from the edge of the box fell just wide of the far-post.
George Fowler was instrumental in denying Fylde two early goals early on. Following on from his goal line clearance, the defender also made a sliding tacking in the 12-yard box to halt prolific striker Danny Rowe from racing in on goal.
Kinsella then cleared an effort off the line which sparked an Aldershot counter attacking move which resulted in Jake Gallagher hitting across goal from the right channel which Jay Lynch held at the second time of asking in the Fylde goal.
Although the first goal was imminent, arguably it could have been avoided. Shots regained possession in their box however, whilst trying to evade creating a corner, Fylde stole back possession and fed a cross back into the box, the first chance was blocked but the rebound shot fired back by Ryan Croasdale just escaped George Legg’s control.
Two minutes later and the home side doubled their lead when Joe Cardle’s cross found Serhat Tasdemir who’s simple header beat Legg.
Cardle further impacted the game in the second half when Danny Rowe robbed the ball from the Shots defence in the 63rd minute and crossed it to an unmarked Cardle waiting at the far-post to tap it in.
Legg made two outstanding saves towards the end of the game to deny the sharp Coasters more. A close-range chance by Danny Rowe was tipped over the bar by the Reading-loanee closely followed by Zaine Francis-Angol’s swerved shot which was again, tipped wide with a one-handed save by Legg.
Undeniably, AFC Fylde’s sharp, effective and tenacious style of play left the Shots in their shadow. The Shots now host Dover Athletic on Saturday, a side also in desperate search of three points.
ALDERSHOT TOWN: Legg, Lelan (Bernard 73), Fowler, Smith, Kinsella, Howell (McClure 57), McDonnell, Rowe, Gallagher, Berkeley-Agyepong (Wanadio 79), Holman.
Subs not used: Cole, Booty.
