The Coasters continued their pre-season preparations with a trip to Warrington Town.

 

The hosts, who are just a week away from the beginning of their season, got the fixture underway.

The AFC Fylde starting lineup featured new signing Luke Conlan as well as two trialists, who looked eager to impress.

The first chance of the game fell to winger Junior Mondal who met a floated ball with a tame volley that was saved by a trialist in the Warrington goal. 

A clash of heads caused an early stoppage and saw Nathan Pond exit the play. He was replaced by Alex Whitmore at the heart of the defence. 

Midway through the first-half the visitors created a good opportunity thanks to neat play between Luke Burgess and Ben Tollitt. The latter fired his shot over the bar from inside the opposition area.

Further chances fell to the impressive Junior Mondal towards the end of the first period. The first a volley that fell on the edge of the area from a corner and the second as a result of some neat Fylde build-up play. Both attempts were saved by the keeper.

Half Time: Warrington Town 0-0 AFC Fylde 

The interval saw Jim Bentley take the opportunity to introduce several trialists into the action.

The second period was slow to get going with both sides featuring a number of players looking to settle into the flow of the game.

Once the game settled, a trialist created an opening from the left for the Coasters. After going round his man he had his cross-turned-shot cleared away by a the home side. 

Next up came a scene customary for pre-season; a number of changes. Sheldon Green, Kurt Willoughby and new signing Max Johnstone were among those introduced. Luke Conlan was the only man to remain from those who started the game. He went on to complete the full 90 minutes in his first appearance since signing from Morecambe.

Johnstone was called into action quickly in the Fylde goal. He smartly kept out Warrington’s biggest chance of the game with his feet in an impressive introduction to proceedings.

The best chance of the game for either side fell to Kurt Willoughby as we approached full-time. He was played in on goal, but couldn’t beat the Warrington keeper who turned it behind for a corner.

The referee called for an end to the game shortly afterwards bringing to a close what was valuable minutes in the build up to the new season. 

Next up for the Coasters is the short trip to Squires Gate this coming Tuesday.

Full Time: Warrington Town 0-0 AFC Fylde