This feature divulges into the past and looks at the success that The Coasters have had since the re-branding as AFC Fylde. This time, we look back on a Doodson Cup Second Round victory from last season …

Mossley 0-2 AFC Fylde (12/11/13)

The Coasters made it through to the third round of NPL Challenge Cup – otherwise known as the ‘Doodson Sport League Cup after a 2-0 win over lower-league opposition in the form of Mossley.

A debut goal from Mark Winslade six minutes into the second half and a penalty converted by Joe Booth with 20 minutes to go was enough to seal the victory.

As expected, Fylde boss Dave Challinor made a number of changes for this game from the 1-1 draw at Matlock on the previous Saturday, handing debuts to Winslade and youngster Jake Gregory, as well as handing starts to Ryan Charnley and Joe Booth.

Winslade almost marked his debut with a goal inside the first 30 seconds when he raced through on to a loose ball but shot over from 10 yards. Dave Hankin then headed a good cross from Adam Sumner wide of the mark in the 22nd minute and then Booth saw another effort blocked and cleared after some good passing play from The Coasters.

The opening  goal finally came as Winslade shot first time 14 yards out and buried the ball into the bottom left corner with 51 minutes on the clock.

And with 20 minutes remaining, the tie was settled when Adam Sumner was hacked down in the box and Booth duly stepped up to bury the penalty into the bottom right corner to double Fylde’s lead.

Challinor said after the game: “Tonight was an opportunity for some of the lads to get some minutes and for the younger ones to get some first team football experience. It was good to see Mark get a goal on his debut as well after we’ve worked hard to get him through the international clearance so he could play and we could look at him tonight, as we’re short on strikers.

Starting XI That Day: Hinchliffe, Gregory (Mullen 66), Sumner, M Hughes (C), Russell, Denson, Booth, B. Barnes, Winslade, Charnley (Duffield 66), Hankin.

Subs Not Used That Day: Winter, C Hughes, M. Barnes.

This was Challinor’s first win as Fylde boss in this competition. The Coasters would later go on to lift the trophy, after defeating Burscough, Nantwich Town, Chasetown, Frickley Athletic and then Skelmersdale United in the final.

Since this game, youngsters such as Jake Gregory, Joe Mullen, Ryan Charnley and Ben Duffield have excelled in and around the first team, with Mullen recently completing a successful loan spell at Bamber Bridge.

Let’s hope we can write more history tonight against Holker Old Boys!