AFC Fylde’s record signing Dan Bradley netted on his debut as the Coasters came from behind to see off Gainsborough Trinity.

Fylde maintained their unbeaten start to the season and remain top of the National League North table despite falling behind to Jordan Thewliss’ first half strike.

Quick fire goals from Danny Rowe and James Hardy after the break turned the game on its head and Bradley put the icing on the cake with a neat finish late on.

The hosts had the first sight of goal when the ever-dangerous Hardy weaved his way into the box from the right but his left footed shot was wide of the far post.

Gainsborough kicked off with a clear game plan to stifle the Coasters with two banks of four behind the ball at all times.

Top scorer Rowe had a sniff of goal shortly after the 10 minute mark but waited too long to pull the trigger on the edge of the box and his eventual strike was blocked.

The striker went closer still a few minutes later when he connected with Tom Kennedy’s corner but his header was cleared off the line by Josh Lacey.

Another whipped corner from Kennedy was flicked narrowly wide by Josh Langley as the Coasters started to build momentum midway through the half. The defender had another attempt moments later when he unleashed from 30 yards but his ambitious drive was well wide.

The visitors created their first real chance of the match when the ball arrived at the feet of Nathan Jarman on the penalty spot however his poked snapshot was well saved by Tony Thompson in the Fylde goal.

Debutant Bradley had his first opportunity when he received the ball from Rowe on the 18-yard line but his well struck strike was straight at Gainsborough stopper George Willis. Centre-half Steve Williams headed narrowly over soon after as Fylde turned the screw.

The deadlock was broken two minutes before the break against the run of play when the Coasters lost the ball in midfield and Thewliss drove forward before finding the bottom corner with a low strike.

Rowe looked for an immediate response when he fired just over from 25 yards in the last action of the half.

The frontman almost drew the sides level inside the first minute of the second half when he fizzed a vicious effort inches wide of the far post from distance.

There was a moment of confusion in the Gainsborough six yard box when Adam Quinn collided with goalkeeper Willis and the ball almost ended up in the gaping goal.

The chances continued to come for the hosts and Rowe really should have scored when he rolled Hardy’s cut back just wide. Dixon was presented with a similar opportunity but his placed strike was straight into the arms of Willis.

Gainsborough fashioned a rare chance when Richie Baker’s poor backwards header played in Jarman but his attempted lob was routine for Thompson.

The Coasters finally found a response and it was that man Danny Rowe on the hour mark. The hitman shifted the ball onto his left food after beating his man in the box and drilled a low strike into the bottom left hand corner.

The turnaround was complete a moment later in similar fashion. Hardy danced past two challenges before rifling a left footed shot this time into the opposite corner via the inside of the post.

Reid stung the palms of Thompson with a powerful strike as the stunned visitors looked for a way back into the match however the match was put to bed when Bradley raced clear on goal with 10 minutes to play, adjusted his feet and fired left-footed across goal and into the far corner of the goal.  

 

AFC Fylde: Thompson, Holmes, Williams (Baker 40), Langley, Kennedy, C. Hughes, Bond, Dixon (Collins 83), Bradley, Hardy (M. Hughes 89), Rowe.

Subs not used: Jennings, Blinkhorn.

Gainsborough Trinity: Willis, Lacey, Beatson, Thornhill, Quinn, Picton, Reid (Bailey-King 69), Wiles, Worsfold (Hands 69), Jarman, Thewliss (Morrison 83).

Subs not used: Davis, Wilson.

Att: 1,385

Ref: Kevin Mulraine