After Saturday’s 1-1 draw between the two sides, many were anticipating another tight game at Kellamergh Park on Tuesday night, but it was anything but.
Kelham O’Hanlon made three changes from the weekend, with Matt Walwyn, Mike Nolan and Leon Gierke all coming into the side. However, it was the away side that started the brightest, with Tony Evans and Anthony Hickey both firing over, whilst Kevin Townson fired wide from range for the home team.
It took a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock, and captain Jamie Milligan duly delivered, as he swept home a Gierke lay-off from twenty yards. This opened the floodgates for Fylde, as Townson continued his excellent recent form, scoring a brace of brilliant goals. His first was a powerful drive into the top corner from outside the area, whilst his second found the same corner as he curled it around the goalkeeper with his left foot. The former Rochdale striker has scored six goals in his first four games for O’Hanlon’s side, and his recent form has vindicated the decision to sign him after his return from Australia.
As the opening 45 minutes came to an end, Rick Mercer added a fourth as he got the final touch on a Phil Doughty’s goalbound header. The half-time whistle couldn’t come soon enough for Warrington, as arguments between their players threatened to get out of hand.
Townson was substituted during the interval, with former Manchester United youngster Mike Barnes his replacement, and it didn’t take him long to make an impact. The pacy winger embarked on a mazy run through the away sides defence before crossing for top scorer Walwyn, who tapped in for his 10th goal of the season. Walwyn was impressive throughout, and could have had more, as he saw a shot cleared off the line, whilst he also missed a virtual open goal from another Barnes cross.
At 5-0, the away side eventually began to come to life, and Hiskey’s consolation was no more than they deserved, as he fired in an angle drive which hit the post on its way in. However, it wasn’t long before Fylde regained their 5-goal advantage as Nolan scored his maiden first-team goal, prodding home from substitute Tom Cahill’s cross. It was then left to Cahill to complete the scoring in injury time, as he fired home from a Walwyn cross.
The victory sees Fylde into the third round of the President’s Cup, a competition the club last won in 1995, and many associated with the team will hope that the success of fifteen years ago can be repeated.
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