Report: AFC Fylde 0-0 Maidenhead United

 

Alan Devonshire made one change to the side that lost 1-0 to Altrincham in midweek with Shawn McCoulsky coming in for Tristan Abrahams. 

 

The first effort of the game fell to the hosts after some good play from Jon Ustabasi, the ball was cleared to the path of Owen Evans who blazed his strike over the bar. 

 

Shawn McCoulsky had the first on-target effort for either side after a good run presented an opportunity from outside the box. Ben Winterbottom matched his strike with a good stop. 

 

Alan Devonshire would’ve been pleased with the opening exchanges as the Magpies had numerous set-piece opportunities. Alan Massey came closest when his effort from a corner was well blocked and cleared from a few yards out. 

 

The Magpies continued to play well and carve out set-pieces and were almost rewarded for their efforts just after thirty minutes. A delivery from Reece Smith resulted in a goal-mouth scramble which was eventually cleared by the Fylde defence. 

 

Fylde had a golden opportunity to score late in the half after Charlie Jolley was presented with a tap-in but scuffed his effort allowing Massey to get back and clear. 

 

 

Maidenhead had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the opening minute of the second half. McCoulsky stole the ball off a Fylde defender high up the pitch and forced a good one-on-one save from Winterbottom. 

 

The Magpies continued to look bright in the early stages with numerous set-pieces and threatening deliveries. Kevin Lokko came closest after getting on the end of a Reece Smith corner, his shot was well blocked by the Coasters. 

 

As the half progressed the Magpies continued to dominate proceedings but were unable to get that allusive goal with Owen Cochrane coming closest from close range. 

 

Craig Ross was called into action for the first time with seven minutes to spare, league top scorer Nick Haughton weaved into some space and forced a good stop from Ross. 

 

Joseph Ajose looked bright when he came off the bench and delivered an inviting ball across the goal with a few minutes left, it was just too much for anyone in a purple shirt. 

 

Casey Pettit was the next to try his luck with a volley from range which skimmed over the bar. Lokko had a chance late into stoppage time but his header went just off-target. 

 

 

The Magpies will now welcome Barnet to York Road on Bank Holiday Monday. 

 

AFC Fylde: Ben Winterbottom, Owen Evans (Gamble 90’), Harry Davis, Adam Long, Charlie Jolley (Zanzalla 53’), Nick Haughton, Jon Ustabasi (O’Kane 71’), Corey Whelan © (Mitchell 59’), Luke Brennan (Ormerod 59’), Bryce Hosannah, Joe Riley 

 

Maidenhead United: Craig Ross, Kevin Lokko, Thierry Latty-Fairweather, Nathan Ferguson, Shawn McCoulsky, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson (Ajose 73’), Joshua Johnson, Casey Pettit, Reece Smith, Owen Cochrane, Alan Massey ©