It’s been a shorter summer than most for AFC Fylde, but even still, the excrutiating wait for football to return is finally over.
After a rollercoaster month of May which saw the Coasters miss out on promotion to the Football League, but win the FA Trophy, there have been plenty of ins and outs at Mill Farm.
With club figures such as Andy Bond, Zaine Francis-Angol and James Hardy departing, amongst others, strong recruitment for Fylde was crucial.
And in the form of Mark Yeates, Matty Kosylo, Jordan Williams and Kurt Willoughby, more firepower has certainly been added to the ranks.
Further acquisitions across the squad, including Forest Green Rovers’ James Montgomery in goal and Grimsby Town’s Alex Whitmore in central defence have added experience and steel to a strong foundation.
The Opposition
Name: Aldershot
Nickname: The Shots
Ground: The EBB Stadium
League Position Last Year: 21st (Relegated) (Stayed up via repreive)
There’s no doubt last year was one to forget for the Shots.
After two seasons of competing in the playoffs, Waddock’s Aldershot team struggled in a fiercely competitive league, and ultimately paid the price in the table.
However, due to the financial situation at Gateshead, the Shots were given a repreive – and after Danny Searles took the reigns from Gary Waddock, there’s certainly a renewed sense of optimism.
They’ve recruited well this summer, with no less than nine players through the door – including winger Alefe Santos from Yeovil Town on a free transfer.
One To Watch
Alefe Santos
With over 50 appearance in the Football League, 24-year-old Santos will no doubt have aspirations to be back at that level in the future.
Having made his name at Bristol Rovers, Santos signed for Derby County, however the move didn’t work out for him, and he signed for Yeovil Town after his contract expired.
He made 43 appearances in two seasons at Yeovil, never really holding down a permanent starting spot.
But with a new, ambitious manager, and a starting berth which he can make his own, this season could be one that gives him a new lease of life in English football.
Head-to-Head
Fylde have had the better of the games when the two sides have met, winning two of their four encounters, and losing the once.
One such memorable encounter came in the 2017/28 season, with Fylde recording an emphatic 7-1 win at Mill Farm.
Last time, the two sides played out a goalless draw in front of the BT Sport cameras, in what looked like it could be a piviotal moment at each end of the National League table.
2018/19
Aldershot Town 0-0 AFC Fylde
AFC Fylde 3-0 Aldershot Town
2017/18
AFC Fylde 7-1 Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town 2-1 AFC Fylde
The Opening Day Schedule
The opening day is always an interesting yardstick for the season ahead, and there’ll no doubt be plenty of games to keep an eye on.
Friday’s fixtures again have games to look out for, and here they are below:
Stockport County v Maidenhead United (12:30PM)
Chorley v Bromley
Wrexham v Barrow
Barnet v Yeovil Town
Harrogate Town v Solihull Moors
Chesterfield v Dover Athletic
Eastleigh v Notts County
Dag & Red v Woking
Ebbsfleet v Halifax Town
Torquay v Boreham Wood
Hartlepool United v Sutton United
Coverage
You can follow the game via Coasters Live, the first official club commentary service.
To listen in to the commentary, head to www.mixlr.com/afcfylde from 2.30pm.
We’ll also have updates across Twitter, Facebook, and Instgram – so make sure you’re following us on all channels!
Come on you Coasters.
