News

MATCH REPORT: AFC Fylde (A)

Aldershot fell to a 5-2 defeat at Mill Farm as Fylde’s Nick Haughton scored one of the goals of the season.

Tommy Widdrington recalled Jordi van Stappershoef into his starting XI for the trip to Fylde and the Dutch ‘keeper had to be called into action in just the second minute with an incredible show of goalkeeping to react to a deflected Charlie Jolley effort that he somehow managed to tip onto the bar.

The opening 10 minutes were fairly open as a dangerous cross from Josh Barrett that just missed Hady Ghandour and Ryan Jones in the centre set the tone just 30 seconds in.

Nick Haughton has got a lot of plaudits so far this season and a 30-yard free-kick that van Stappershoef did well to scramble across his line and keep out was a warning of what was to come from Fylde’s number 10.

Hady Ghandour came close to opening the scoring for the Shots from close-range in the 19th minute but saw his shot blocked by his own teammate as James Henry couldn’t get out of the way.

But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 26th minute through a simply magical goal from Haughton. Spotting van Stappershoef off his line, Haughton found the top corner from the halfway line.

And just three minutes later, Fylde had a second. This time Haughton turned provider with more magic as a drag back and backheel took two Shots defenders out and gave Charlie Jolley the space to find the back of the net from the edge of the box.

It’s fair to say that the two goals had come agianst the general run of play and Dan Ellison came very close to getting a goal back as his header from Ryan Jones’ inswinging cross smashed against the post just two minutes after Fylde’s second goal.

But Fylde scored a third in the 37th minute to grow their lead to a commanding one. Gavin Massey was able to benefit from a good Fylde move as he tapped in a low cross from close-range.

The Shots weren’t dead and buried, however, as Josh Barrett got a goal back for his side in the 40th minute. Fed in down the left of the box, he slotted the ball under Theo Richardson to make the end of the first-half interesting.

And as first half stoppage time began, James Henry buoyed the Shots and their travelling faithful with a composed finish past Richardson having been picked out by a great ball forward by Christian Maghoma who broke out of defence.

Dan Ellison then came close again to opening his Shots account as he rose highest from a corner in the third minute of stoppage time but saw his header fly just past the post.

HALF TIME

The half time break scuppered any momentum that the Shots had gained and Fylde’s fourth goal in the 53rd minute put a severe dent in the hopes of a comeback. Another effort from distance gave Massey his second goal of the afternoon.

The Assistant Referee’s flag denied Christian Maghoma his first Aldershot goal in the 60th minute after the defender turned in a deep cross from around the penalty spot only to have been adjudged to have done so from an offside position.

And five minutes later, Fylde scored a fifth to rebuild their lead to three. This time, Charlie Jolley scored his second of the game as he was once again set up by Haughton.

Aldershot were still pushing to reduce the deficit and Tyler Frost, Jack Barham and Kai Corbett’s introductions brought a fresh dynamic to the attack, but Fylde’s lead gave the hosts the extra energy and commitment required to keep them at bay.

Attendance: 1147 (134 Away).

Shots lineup: 1. Jordi van Stappershoef, 2. Lachlan Byrd, 5. Christian Maghoma, 6. Theo Widdrington (C), 7. Cameron Hargreaves, 10. Josh Barrett (9. Kai Corbett, 82′), 11. Ryan Jones (18. Olly Scott, 58′), 21. Ashley Akpan, 23. Hady Ghandour (22. Jack Barham, 65′), 27. James Henry (8. Tyler Frost, 72′), 35. Dan Ellison (25. Rollin Menayese, 58′).

Subs not used: 28. Marcus Dewhurst, 24. Maxwell Mullins.

AFC Fylde lineup: 1. Theo Richardson, 2. Patrick Gamble, 3. Owen Evans (18. Lincoln McFayden, 90+1′), 6. Adam Long, 7. Charlie Jolley (29. Danny Ormerod, 87′), 8. Ethan Mitchell, 10. Nick Haughton, 17. Corey Whelan (C) (34. Taelor O’Kane, 72′), 20. Gavin Massey, 23. Bryce Hosannah, 40. Joe RIley.

Subs not used: 31. Ben Winterbottom, 4. Harry Davis, 5. Emeka Obi, 21. Tyler Roberts.