AFC Fylde 5-2 Radcliffe Borough

AFC Fylde moved back into the play-off positions after taking all three points from an absorbing encounter at Kellamergh Park.

After an enforced two week break, the home side took some time to get into their stride as neither team seemed able to string any meaningful passing moves together. Despite this, Fylde had the better chances as Jamie Milligan twice had long range efforts saved by Nick Culkin, whilst Kevin Townson cut in from the right to test the ex-Bristol Rovers stopper.

The deadlock was finally broken midway through the first half as Townson was felled just inside the box, leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty, which was coolly dispatched by captain Milligan. However, the lead lasted less than two minutes as David Sherlock latched onto a good through ball to slot past Lewis Edge in the Fylde goal.

This did not deter the Coasters, as Tom Cahill restored their lead after turning in a low Michael Barnes cross. The lead was then doubled moments later as centre-back Phil Doughty won the ball in the centre circle before playing in Townson who made no mistake with the finish.

As half-time loomed young midfielder Mike Nolan stung the palms of Culkin, but there were to be no more goals before the break.

Whatever was said by Radcliffe manager Gerry Luczka in the dressing room had an immediate effect as Adam Roscoe beat Edge at his near post from a near impossible angle. This galvanised the visitors, and they began to control the game, despite not creating any clear-cut chances.

Borough were made to pay for not turning their possession into goals as Townson tapped in his second and Fylde's fourth after a Barnes shot ricocheted off two Radcliffe defenders. That was to be the former Macclesfield striker's final action as he was replaced by Matt Walwyn, whilst Andy Bell continued to make his comeback from injury, replacing Cahill.

It did not take long for Walwyn to make an impact, with the striker picking the ball up just inside the visitors half before unleashing an unstoppable drive from 30 yards which many of the world's best keepers would have struggled to keep out.

With a three goal lead established, Fylde began to relax and the remaining 25 minutes did not bring many chances, although Bell and fellow substitute Matty Kay both tested Culkin before the 90 minutes were up.

AFC Fylde 7 - 1 Warrington Town (26/10/10)

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 10^th 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.