AFC Fylde vs Hartlepool United
Saturday 17th March, 2018, k/o 3pm
Mill Farm
Vanarama National League
AFC Fylde will look to make it three wins on the spin tomorrow afternoon when Hartlepool United visit Mill Farm.
The Coasters have secured back-to-back victories over fellow promotion rivals Dover Athletic and Aldershot Town and sit just one place and two points outside the play-offs.
Dave Challinor’s side enjoyed the result of the season last time out with a sensational 7-1 drubbing of high-flyers Aldershot.
Danny Rowe was once again the star of the show, netting a perfect hat-trick inside the opening 19 minutes, taking his National League goals tally to 22 for the season. The frontman sits top of the goal charts, five clear of Tranmere’s Andy Cook.
Captain Sam Finley had a mixed afternoon against the Shots, netting two stunning long-range strikes before seeing red for his goal celebration. The midfield man will now miss the Coasters’ next three National League fixtures. Simon Grand and Jack Muldoon completed the rout with a goal each.
Fylde have a phenomenal home record against the current top seven, winning five and drawing one of the six games so far. Sutton are the only play-off side yet to visit Mill Farm. Challinor’s side have netted an incredible 25 goals over the course of the aforementioned six matches.
Home record vs Top Seven
1st Macclesfield Town (W 6-0)
2nd Sutton United (yet to play)
3rd Tranmere Rovers (W 5-2)
4th Wrexham (W 2-0)
5th Aldershot Town (W 7-1)
6th Boreham Wood (D 2-2)
7th Dover Athletic (W 3-1)
Fylde secured their first ever National League victory at Hartlepool back in August. Henry Jones opened the scoring at Victoria Park against the newly-relegated side, before Rowe’s club record-breaking strike sealed the win.
Tomorrow’s opponents have endured a torrid season following their drop from the Football League and currently sit just three points above the trap door.
Their poor form proved costly for manager Craig Harrison, who was axed after just ten victories from his 36 games in charge.
Pool have picked up just one point from a possible nine since Harrison’s departure, securing a solid goalless draw against Boreham Wood at the weekend.
Follow all the build-up and live match action via our Facebook page or minute by minute updates on Twitter (@AFCFYLDE)
Don’t forget to pick up your official matchday programme at the game, packed with all the latest news and views, action and reaction.
Team news:
AFC Fylde: Midfielder Jordan Flores will be hoping to make his league debut following his loan move from Wigan a week ago. The 22-year-old made his first appearance for the club during Tuesday’s Lancashire Senior Cup semi-final at Fleetwood Town. Fellow midfielder Sam Finley serves the first of a three-match suspension.
Hartlepool: Midfielder Jack Munns could be in contention for a place in the line-up after playing 45 minutes in his comeback game for the Reserves enduring midweek. Scott Harrison is suspended for the game following his red card against Boreham Wood at the weekend, whilst Ryan Donaldson, Aaron Cunningham and Kenton Richardson will all miss the trip due to injury.
Fixtures:
AFC Fylde vs Hartlepool United
Boreham Wood vs Tranmere Rovers
Bromley P – P Dagenham and Redbridge
Chester vs Aldershot Town
Dover Athletic vs Macclesfield Town
Eastleigh vs Leyton Orient
Gateshead P – P Ebbsfleet United
Guiseley vs FC Halifax Town
Maidenhead United vs Barrow
Maidstone United vs Sutton United
Solihull Moors vs Torquay United
Woking vs Wrexham
Admission:
Seated: Adults: £16 non-member / £13 member
Juniors: £9 non-member / £8 member
Standing: Adults: £13 non-member / £11 member
Juniors: £5 non-member / FREE member
Click here for tickets.
