Fylde Under Par

Hopperational details
Date & Venue	Saturday 23 September at Mill Farm
Result	AFC Fylde 1 Woking 2
Competition	National League (Step 1)
Hopstats	Ground 617, which restores my “116” (everywhere in the top five divisions in England.
Context
I last saw AFC Fylde three years ago in the level below, and I noted their organisation and ambition back then.  They are now in their first season at the top “non-league” level.  They find themselves in the lower reaches of the table after eleven games, with a fair number of draws from reportedly decent performances.  Woking are top-half and will be another stern test for the upwardly mobile Coasters.
In one sentence
Woking turned up after half-time and scored two goals in quick succession to take the points.
So what?
Fylde remain 20th, just above the drop-zone in a table which still has many, many games to go.  Woking climb to 6th and are one of several teams sitting at one point off the lead.
Match Report
Two well-organised sides of “big lads” largely cancelled each other out.  There was very little time-on-the-ball for anyone and a lot of playing channels and percentages.  Woking struggled to come to terms with Fylde’s aerial threat and Jordan Tunnicliffe headed them in front in the 18th minute with a straightforward header from a set piece.  Tony Pulis would have loved it.  Woking never made the home keeper do any serious work, and the away fans (somewhat noisier than the home ones it has to be said) were beginning to get irritated at their team’s lack of bite as half-time drew near.  Fylde would have been happy to reach the break one-nil up. The equaliser came after 53 minutes.  It was both spectacular and with an element of good fortune.  Shortly after a softly-conceded corner, the ball came out to Joe Ward.  His volley from distance took a deflection and then went in off the post.  Jamie Philpot’s header from a left-wing cross came just a minute later and the game was completely turned round. Woking will feel they coped well enough defensively as Fylde threw men forward.  There were a couple of half-chances from corners and other set pieces but in the end the visitors will be very happy to be going home with the points. AFC Fylde 1 Tunnicliffe 18 Woking 2  Ward 53, Philpot 54
Ground Pix
It is impressive.  Has managed to be a bit “different” whilst still being modern and functional.  Early signs are that the growth and development is being managed well and will be sustainable.  The area already has old-but-troubled Blackpool, newish-kids Fleetwood and venerable old Preston North End so there is lots of local football interest.  The club are already at the stage of the £3 full-colour glossy 52-page programme, seagull mascot and barcode-reader turnstiles.  The playing surface was excellent.  A bonus was a chance to say hello to @nonleaguedogs of the Fylde faithful across the segregation gate.  Great to meet you and thanks for the badge, which will be worn with pride.
Match Pix
AFC Fylde in all white. 1-0. Left-wing corner reaches Tunnicliffe (5) at the far post. See a pattern developing? Fylde a constant first-half threat from crosses and corners. Nathan Baxter (Woking GK) is kept very busy in the last 15 minutes
Pre-Match Entertainment
It was a Steam Day at the Ribble Steam Railway on the outskirts of Preston.  Would have been rude not to.  Steam locomotives are impressive things (says he as a theoretical chemist who avoided getting his hands wet if at all possible).  It was good to see some other characters with obsessive hobbies and get a fix of nostalgia.  My childhood coincided with the gradual decline of steam in favour of diesel and electric.  Recommended to all groundhoppers – it’s about fifteen minutes from Mill Farm by car. That's a Bagnall 0-6-0 from 1942, I tell you.  Number 2680 "Courageous" to be specific. Decent range of bottled beers for your short trip...
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats
Green loses to Orange.  Red still leads, orange in 6th closes gap on green in 5th.  Full table update at the end of the month.
What Next?
Watch @GrahamYapp on Twitter for details!  Next “landmark” hop will be a trip to Spennymoor Town, hopefully sometime in October, to restore the “160” (everything in the top six English tiers).