MATCH PREVIEW: AFC FYLDE (H)

Boreham Wood vs AFC Fylde
Saturday, 24th February 2024, 3:00 pm
Mangata Pay UK Stadium, Meadow Park, Vanarama National League

PREVIEW

Tomorrow, The Wood welcome AFC Fylde to the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park for a crucial mid-table clash as Luke Garrard’s side aim to bounce back from the defeat away at Hartlepool and climb back up the Vanarama National League table. Our last meeting with The Coasters came back in October where The Wood travelled to the Fylde coast. The points were shared in Lancashire as The Wood were denied a win in the 89th minute, despite a brace from Angelo Balanta and leading 2-1 from being 1-0 down. The Coasters are currently sat 15th in the table on 39 points after 10 wins, 9 draws, and 15 losses. The Wood, on the other hand, sit in front of Fylde in 14th and will be hoping to return to winning ways back at home tomorrow afternoon.

FORM GUIDE

AFC Fylde – D-L-W-W-W

Adam Murray’s Coasters are currently sat 1st in the form-guide after picking up 4 wins in their previous 6 games. Fylde closed their January by hosting Bromley in Lancashire and came away with the 3 points after a narrow 1-0 win over The Ravens, thanks to an early goal from academy graduate, Danny Ormerod. The Coasters would follow their win over Bromley up with another win, coming away at Dorking Wanderers. Adam Murray’s side netted 3 in Surrey, one goal for Connor Barrett and a brace for winger, Jonathan Ustabaşi, but were denied the clean sheet as a goal in the 96th minute from Matt Briggs reduced the deficit for Marc White’s Wanderers and the game ended 3-1. Fylde would extend their winning run with a win away at Eastleigh thanks to goals from midfielders, Josh Kay and Nick Haughton, putting The Coasters 2 up. The Spitfires would pull one back through Ben Reeves, but it wouldn’t be enough to salvage a draw as Fylde held on to their lead and came away from the South Coast victorious.

On the Tuesday that followed, Fylde would return to Hampshire where they would take on 5th placed Aldershot Town. Ustabaşi would open the scoring and Aldershot would go down to 10 men. From that point, it all fell apart for The Shots as Fylde would go on to put 4 more past them. The game ended in an emphatic 5-0 win for Adam Murray’s side but would also mark the end of their 4 game winning run. The Coasters would host Barnet last Saturday but, despite a brace for Nick Haughton and his side taking the lead inside 10 minutes, The Bees would come away from the Mill Farm Stadium 4-2 winners. Fylde would then fail to return to winning ways against Solihull Moors on Tuesday as they were held to a 2-2 draw despite leading by 2 at half time.

ONES TO WATCH

Nick Haughton:

29-year-old attacking midfielder, Nick Haughton and, especially of recent, his eye for goal have played a crucial role for AFC Fylde in their recent winning run and campaign so far. Haughton, previously of the likes of Fleetwood Town and Salford City, joined The Coasters in October of 2018 and has netted 85 times in 216 appearances, not bad for a midfielder. The midfielder is the top scorer for Adam Murray’s side this season, bagging 13 goals, and has proved to be very clinical recently, scoring 5 in his previous 4 appearances. Haughton will be looking to make it 5 consecutive games in which he has scored tomorrow afternoon at Meadow Park and is sure to test Nathan Ashmore in The Wood net.

PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW