Match Report: Hartlepool United 2-0 AFC Fylde
It was defeat on the road for AFC Fylde as they were beaten 2-0 by Hartlepool United at Victoria Park.
Goals from Tom Parkes and Gary Madine proved the difference as Kevin Phillips couldn’t get the result he wanted when visiting his old side.
It was a really positive start from the Coasters who worked a shooting opportunity within the opening minute as Nick Haughton looked to find the near post but his effort was held by Brad Young in the Pools goal.
On 10 minutes, Hartlepool did have the ball in the net as Ferguson finished from the edge of the area but the goal was ruled out as the offside flag was raised on the far side.
Fylde then launched a counter attack themselves as Charlie Jolley looked to get his effort away but his strike deflected wide for a corner.
The Coasters were the next side to have a goal disallowed as Jon Ustabasi had the ball in the net after he clipped an effort over Brad Young, but the goal was disallowed for offside before Haughton received a booking for simulation in the build up.
Hartlepool did go close before the interval as striker Mani Dieseruvwe’s header fell onto the crossbar from close range as the half time scoreline remained goalless.
Kevin Phillips made one change at the break as Max Bardell came on at right back to replace Bryce Hosannah.
With the hour mark passing by, Nick Haughton struck a free kick from 30 yards out which dipped just wide of the far post as Fylde pushed for the opener.
Owen Evans then had a great opportunity as Gavin Massey pulled the ball back to the penalty spot but Evans’ weak footed effort was skied over.
With 20 minutes to go, the home side found the opener as Tom Parkes had a free header from close range to get past Winterbottom and break the deadlock.
The Coasters thought they had an equaliser when substitute Max Bardell struck brilliantly into the bottom corner but the referee disallowed the goal for an alleged foul in the build up.
As Fylde piled the pressure on the Pools defence, Ben Winterbottom was called into action with a huge reaction save to deny Gary Madine whose first touch came inches away from doubling the home side’s lead.
But seconds later, Madine did have his name on the goal sheet after an effort from range cannoned back off the Fylde post and hit Madine to go into the net and make it two.
A really tough defeat to take for the Coasters who applied plenty of pressure but fell to defeat in the North East.
AFC Fylde: Winterbottom, Hosannah (Bardell 45′), Whelan (C), Obi, Evans, Riley, O’Kane, Ustabasi, Haughton, Massey, Jolley (McFayden 68′)
Subs not used: Richardson, Gamble, Long, Zanzala, Morris
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