County host AFC Fylde tomorrow night, with the opportunity to avenge last season’s FA Trophy semi-final defeat to the Coasters and win a fourth successive National League game at Edgeley Park for the first time in the process.
Last season’s late 3-2 defeat to Fylde means the visitors are one of just three teams to beat County at Edgeley Park in 2019, with the Hatters winning 11 of our 15 games played in SK3 this calendar year.
A first away win of the season at Wrexham on Saturday, meanwhile, saw the Hatters finish a challenging August in sixth place in the National League table, following a superb run of four wins in our last five League games.
Saturday’s game also saw us score our first first-half goals of the season courtesy of those Ash Palmer and Sam Minihan strikes – which were our first goals scored from set-pieces.
Fylde’s Season So Far:
Following on from the heartbreak of defeat to Salford City in last season’s showpiece play-off final at Wembley, it’s been yet another Summer of heavy investment for AFC Fylde, who were the bookies favourites for the Title before a ball was kicked.
Amongst their twelve first-team summer signings, most notable to County will be former Hatter Scott Duxbury, the left-back who made over 200 appearances over two spells at Edgeley Park, and was part of our title-winning side last season before departing for the Coasters.
Duxbury is one of three ex-County players currently plying their trade for the Coasters alongside forward Danny Rowe – who scored at Edgeley Park last season – and midfielder and Fylde captain Lewis Montrose.
There will also be a familiar face in the dugout, with Fylde managed by former County defender Dave Challinor.
County fans may also recognise Summer signing Kurt Willoughby – the forward scored for FC United in both league games against the Hatters last season, despite ending up on the losing side on both occasions.
Despite this heavy investment, it’s been a disappointing start to the season for Fylde, who are currently languishing down in 14th place following a run of five games without a win, including consecutive 4-1 defeats to Woking and Halifax. Their only win on the road this season came on the opening day, away at Aldershot.
County will have to keep a close eye on the aforementioned Danny Rowe however – the striker was again the National League’s top goal-scorer last season, notching 27 goals in 45 appearances, and has three goals so far this season.
Head to Head
County will be looking to improve on our recent record against Fylde and seal a first ever home win against Dave Challinor’s men, with our only victory in our nine previous non-league meetings with the Coasters being a 3-2 away win in August 2015 – courtesy of a late goal from Jake Kirby.
Fylde have come out on top in four of those nine meetings, three of which coming at Edgeley Park, the last of which being that 3-2 defeat back in March.
After some feisty and intense previous meetings, Tuesday is sure to be another thrilling night at Edgeley Park, as the Hatters look to continue their early charge up the National League table. See you all under the floodlights!
