Recap: AFC Fylde 2-1 Harriers

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HARRIERS slipped to a first defeat of the season thanks to two late goals in  a 2-1 set-back at AFC Fylde. 

After a fairly solid first 79 minutes, three goals in the final stages capped a manic finish, the hosts going ahead before Kieran Phillips levelled matters- only for a further Fylde goal to seal their win.

Luke Charman was a threat for the home side and had a sight of goal inside three minutes as he glanced a header wide of the far post.

On 18 minutes Zak Brown forced the first save of the night, and a good one – Theo Richardson showing quick reactions to tip over his half volley after he got on the end of a knock down from Joe Leesley’s corner.

Just before the half-hour mark, Christian Dibble was at his athletic best to deny Charman – the striker let fly from distance and on the angle, parrying away a curling effort.

Up from the back back before the break, Nat Knight-Percival had a half chance when he drilled an effort at Richardson, but it was straight down the custodian’s throat. Richardson wasn’t anywhere near an Oxlade-Chamberlain effort that came minutes later, but that was off target to end what was a fairly wayward first period for both sides in front of goal.

Oxlade-Chamberlain went closer still just after the restart when his deflected effort threatened to drop in before going over, after which Hemmings drove a low, angled effort across goal that Richardson did well to save.

Jack Lambert, seven after the hour and on his Harriers debut, went close with a low drive after a corner that Richardson needed safe hands to gather, after which Caleb Richards saw a 18 yard effort drop agonisingly over the bar.

The visitors were left to rue that profligacy in front of goal when the Coasters went in front. A deep cross into the area looked to be blocked, falling straight to the feet of Charman who duly dispatched it into the back of the net. It was almost 2-0 immediately, but Gold Omotayo headed a cross on to the bar.

That lead lasted just five minutes before Harriers levelled matters in some style. There didn’t look to be too much on for Kieran Phillips as he chased a ball forward under the attention of a couple of white shirts. Spotting Richardson off his line, though, the striker lifted the ball over him beautifully to net his first goal for the club.

Frustratingly, Fylde then hit straight back as a topsy-turvy finish continued. For a rare instance, Harriers failed to act decisively defensively – Luke Conlan pouncing at close range to put his side back in front.

Get full team line-ups and key  match facts at The Match Centre.

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