The Coasters fell to defeat on their final home game of the season, as goals from Cardwell & Waldron were enough to see off Chris Beech’s side.

A diving header from Danny Waldron on the fifty-second minute alongside a bullet header from Cardwell moments later, saw Southend United make the long trip back down south with three points against an AFC Fylde side who will surely now remain in the National League for a second consecutive season after a superb second half of the season ensured safety for Chris Beech and his side.

Chris Beech made two changes to Thursday night’s winning team that saw off Gateshead at Mill Farm with Owen Evans returning to the Starting eleven for the first time in 2024, and the reintroduction of Bryce Hosannah, who replaced Danny Whitehead and Connor Barrett, with both of Thursday night’s starters dropping to the bench.

It was the visitors who started strongest where an inswinging corner from the right from James Morton saw the wind direct the ball towards Theo Richardson who had to punch clear to ensure the ball didn’t catch everyone off guard.

That pressure kept up as Bridge’s cross forced Conway to use his chest to direct the ball clear, only until Bridge found the ball yet again, with Adam Long putting his body on the line to deny the visitors.

Bridge was once again on hand to cause problems for the AFC Fylde defence when his short corner caused bedlam in the box, where Max Conway managed to get the better of hid man, and despite claims for a handball, Fylde were able to clear.

Morton was brought down moments later when Ralph’s quick thinking saw the visitors push towards the AFC Fylde line once again, whipping the ball into the back post where Waldron met the cross but couldn’t connect cleanly with the cross.

Fylde hit back at Southend when Owen Evans was brought down on the edge of the area, and Nick Haughon’s floated ball into the middle despite being caught in the wind, was easily taken by Andeng-Ndi.

Andeng-Ndi’s long-range clearance beat all the Fylde defence to find Waldron who went in one-on-one with Richardson, he rounded the goalkeeper and looked to slot it into an empty net, only for Adam Long’s sliding clearance to deny the Southend number ten to grab an opener. 

Ustabasi won an AFC Fylde corner in reply, which meant Max Conway could find Nick Haughton from the short corner, but Nick’s shot was weak and direct into the grasp of Collin Andeng-Ndi.

The Coasters almost grabbed the opener twenty-five in when Bryce Hosannah’s driving run got into the box where Owen Evans found space, letting fly beating Andeng-Ndi, but the left and right post keeping the scoreline level.

Southend hit back in an end-to-end encounter when Waldron got to a loose ball ahead of Theo Richardson who tapped it around the Fylde keeper with the wind edging the ball towards the line, only for another goal-line clearance, this time from the palm of Richardson to deny the visitors. As the ball came back out, Bridge’s cross was met by Waldron but his header was over into the North Stand.

Scott-Morriss’ long throw came back out to the defender who struck from range, but Theo Richardson was comfortably equal to it.

An outstanding piece of defending from Adam Long to get the better of the Southend number ten, Danny Waldron, who fought off three defenders, shifting the ball onto his left foot only for the ball to be taken off his feet by the impressive Long.

Long again doing the hard yards in the middle of the park, playing in Haughton who was brought down on the edge of the area. With Conway and Haughton over the ball, Haughton’s strike was straight at the wall, and Southend could clear.

Southend then did have the ball in the back of the net through Miley, but the play leading up to the goal saw the initial cross come from an offside position calling the visiting supporters’ celebrations short.

Coker was on hand to cause more problems for The Coasters, with the Southend man taking aim from an angle forcing Richardson into a big one-handed save to push away for a corner.

The second half started much like the first, with the Shrimpers on top and when Gus Scott-Morriss’ cross found Danny Waldron whose diving header beat Richardson and at the third time of asking gave Southend the lead. Jubilant celebrations from the visiting fans in the South Stand, as the visitors broke the deadlock.

Chris Beech reacted with a double change as Evans and Adshead made way for Barrett and Whitehead.

James Morton looked to create some space and he drove into Fylde territory and once again Waldron caused problems for Fylde, as he was unable to connect with the cross-come shot by the midfielder.

Collin Andeng-Ndi got a ball out from the back horribly wrong meaning Bryce Hosannah’s picked up the loose ball but was taken out by Cavaghin Miley, who was shown a yellow.

From the resulting free-kick Fylde had a huge penalty shout waved away. It was taken short to Conway whose cross looked to strike the trailing arm of the Southend skipper, Ralph, but the referee waved away the claims of the Fylde players and a frustrated North Stand. 

Hunter then made his appearance on proceedings as Mitchell made way. 

Cardwell made the scoreline unassailable for Fylde when Jack Bridge’s cross was met by the head of Harry Cardwell, whose powerful header was too strong for Richardson who could only parry the ball into the corner of the net to spark jubilant celebrations once more.

Ustabasi gave Fylde a big chance ten from time as he raced in behind to strike from distance, forcing a huge save from Andeng-Ndi. From the resulting corner, Conway tried to put the ball in directly from the delivery, with Scott-Morris’ header denying him from halving the deficit.

Haughton tried once again to fire into the box from the corner directly, but his corner was gathered by Andeng-Ndi.

The full-time whistle sounded to secure three points for the Shrimpers at Mill Farm.

Following the full-time whistle, Chris Beech’s side partook in a lap of honour to celebrate survival where all the playing squad, backroom staff and families showed their appreciation for the support of the AFC Fylde supporters throughout the season.

* We are aware of some issues in our matchday programme, following a short turnaround from Thursday night’s game which led to an urgent publishing process. We apologise to all supporters who noticed this.

AFC Fylde: Richardson, Hosannah, Long, Haughton (C), Graham, Evans (Adshead 57’), Ustabasi, Conway, Adshead (Barrett 57’), Ormerod, Mitchell (Hunter 69’). Unused Subs: Walker, McCullion.