The Coasters secured their second victory in the National League North on Saturday, as Jim Bentley’s side ran out winners in their first away game of the campaign. 

 

With Nick Haughton scoring his second of the season in consecutive games and the Coasters defence keeping a clean sheet once again, it left manager, Jim Bentley elated with his sides victory. 

Speaking to afcfylde.co.uk, the Gaffer said: “It’s a great win, a big win, it’s about getting points on the board in the early season, we knew it wasn’t going to be pretty away from home against Gateshead who are a decent side.

“I’ve been quite impressed with the standards so far, looking over the teams, there’s great players and Gateshead showed that today, so credit where credits due. 

“We’re a work in progress, we will get better with the ball and I don’t think we were great with it today, certainly in the first-half, but when we did get a hold of it we looked a good side, we kept plugging away and the goal typified that. 

“It was a nice passing move down the right, we got it and switched the play, we created a bit of space in the middle for Nick Haughton and he scored an important goal for us again. He’s massive for us, you need match-winners in your side and Nick is one of them.” 

As well as the attacking line looking sharp all afternoon, the back line also came up with an impressive display, something Bentley recognised. 

“I thought our defensive shape was good, which is pleasing,” Bentley stated. 

“We don’t want to be just great going one way, we want to be quite water tight at the back and I thought there were some good performances today, certainly in the back line right the way through to Jordan [Hulme] up front, who I thought led the line excellently. 

“Chris Neal didn’t have loads of opportunities to make outstanding saves, but one thing he did do was be clean with all his work, his decision making was good and he commanded his box, but we know he is a top-class goalkeeper. 

“In front of him, Pondy [Nathan Pond] and Whits [Alex Whitmore] have done well so far along with the full backs, so overall there’s some real strong performances today and we’ve got good competition.”

Jim also reserved special recognition for the fans and although supporters cannot attend any football matches now, their support is felt in spirit by the players and staff at the club.

“Football is all about the fans,” Bentley recognised. “It’s important that they’re with us, whether they’re at home or in Bradleys, what we do is for the fans. 

“It’s an occupation for us and it’s certainly something that I love, but I love that interaction with fans and making sure that you’re doing them proud and I think we’ve done that. 

“We’ve worked our backsides off, and we’ve put in a shift today. I will always make sure the players do that as that is the least that’s expected, but we want to win games of football and I imagine our fans are really pleased back home and it makes it a good weekend. 

“A couple of directors travelled, the Chairman is away and they’ll all be happy tonight, and that’s what we want, we want to enjoy the good times and although there’ll be a couple of rocky times along the way, but I always say we make sure we stick together through those times and when the good times come – like this week – that we make sure we enjoy it.”