AFC Fylde v Aldershot Town Match Preview – Saturday 15th September 2018
Following a highly entertaining home victory over Bromley by the odd goal in five last weekend, Aldershot Town travel to the North West of England on Saturday, in search of their first away point(s) of the season. Mill Farm, home of 7th placed AFC Fylde, is their destination. BBC Surrey Sport’s Rob Worrall previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Manager Gary Waddock remains without injured Hull City loanee goalkeeper Will Mannion, who is recovering from a quad injury and Reading loanee George Legg is likely to deputise. Skipper Karleigh Osborne (Achilles) is close a return. Marvin McCoy is yet to make his Shots debut due to an injury that has kept him out since pre-season. Shamir Fenelon is a doubt after missing the Bromley game through and injury picked up at Havant & Waterlooville.
Opposition:
Name: AFC Fylde
Founded: 1988
Nickname: The Coasters
Manager: Dave Challinor
Stadium: Mill Farm
2017/18 National League position: 7th
Brief History:
AFC Fylde were founded in 1988, as Kirkham & Wesham following the amalgamation of Kirkham Town and Wesham taking Kirkham Town’s place in the West Lancashire League. They won the FA Vase in 2008 and then changed their name to AFC Fylde. They play at Mill Farm (Wesham), are nicknamed The Coasters and finished 7th in their first season at National League level last term.
The Gaffer:
Former Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County and Bury defender Dave Challinor is in charge of The Coasters. Challinor ended his playing career and started his managerial experience at Colwyn Bay, whom he guided to Runners-Up spot in the Northern Premier League in his first season at the helm, eventually gaining promotion to what was the Conference North via the Play-Offs. In November 2011, he was announced as the new manager of AFC Fylde, who at that time, played in the Northern Premier League Division 1 North. His impact was instant, gaining promotion (as Champions) in his first season and then guiding The Coasters to NPL Play-Offs the following season. They lost on that occasion, but gained promotion to the Conference North twelve months later.
Following another promotion in 2016-17, Fylde went on to finish seventh in their first season at Non-League’s ‘top-table’.
Outgoings:
A total of seventeen players left Mill Farm at the end of last season – including loanees. The most notable departures included; Jake Lawlor & Simon Grand (to Salford), Sam Finley (to Accrington) and Jack Muldoon (to Harrogate).
Incomings:
Eleven players stayed – including the prolific Danny Rowe and eleven new faces arrived at Mill Farm. Key signing included; Neil Byrne (from Gateshead), Ryan Croasdale (from Kidderminster Harriers) and Ashley Hemmings (Salford City).
Referee:
Saturday’s referee is Marc Edwards and this is his 6th National League game this term. Last season he took the middle on 18 occasions, showing 50 Yellow cards and 2 Red cards. He did not referee Shots last season.
Commentary:
BBC Surrey Sports Rob Worrall and Aldershot Town FC Communications Manager Chris Woods will be covering the game live on Saturday afternoon. Tune in to the BBC Sport website (or the BBC Sport App) from 2:50pm for full match commentary. To interact with them, tweet @RobShot66 and/or @CWoodsy14.
