AFC Fylde 0, Stockport County 0: Promotion hopefuls play out stalemate

AFC Fylde, Stockport County

The Hatters repeated their achievement from three days by securing a highly creditable point under the lights of the new Mill Farm stadium against League leaders Fylde.

The latest draw was well earned by County, following a lively encounter that featured plenty of end-to-end action but, ultimately, no goals.

The Hatters took to the field in a 3-4-1-2 formation, and showing two changes from the starting line-up at Salford.

Mark Ross (who also reassumed the captaincy) and Connor Hampson were the players to return, in place of Josh Amis, who was ruled out with an ankle injury, and Scott Duxbury.

Michael Clarke plays the ball for Stackport, at Fylde
Defender, Michael Clarke, on the ball for the Hatters. (www.mphotographic.co.uk)

 

After a blistering start by the ‘Coasters’, who notched up three corners in almost as many minutes from the first whistle, the Hatters settled down and played their part in a tight first half.

Danny Lloyd, who had plied his trade with Fylde until the current campaign, unleashed an early low drive to test home goalkeeper Rhys Taylor, before Taylor’s opposite Number One – and the other former Coaster now at County – Ben Hinchliffe kept out efforts from Sam Finley and Dan Bradley, as well as a free-kick by ex-Hatter Danny Rowe. County also had cause to be thankful to Michael Clarke, who got his head in the way of a goal-bound Matty Hughes shot.

The second half continued in similar vein – although the hosts, while enjoying arguably the greater share of possession, lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.

Two further Rowe free kicks – the like of which had been the nemesis of County defences last, and earlier this, season – were kept out by, respectively, a firm wall and Hinchliffe’s fists.

And when Rowe handed over set-piece duty to Brendon Daniels, the result was a delivery fired well wide of goal.

Sefton Gonzales battles through the Fylde defence, for Stockport.
Sefton Gonzales battles through the Fylde defence. (www.mphotographic.co.uk)

In fact, the Hatters, now attacking an away-end packed with vociferous Twelfth Man Representatives approaching a thousand in their number, were to go closest when, just after the hour-mark, Lloyd cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that Taylor could only parry. Sefton Gonzales, following through, got a touch on the rebound, but his effort shaved the far post.

Harry Winter almost added to a good personal goal-scoring record against Fylde when he latched on to a corner to glance his header narrowly over. And Hampson also headed an effort just above the woodwork.

Results elsewhere see County occupy seventh place, albeit still only one point away from the play-off positions.

FULL-TIME: Fylde 0, Stockport County 0.
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Ross (Capt.), Hampson, Montrose, Clarke, Smalley, Minihan, Winter, Gonzales (Duxbury, 86), Ball, Lloyd (Felix, 67).
Unused subs: Ormson, Meppen-Walters, Odejayi.
Booked: Winter.
Attendance: 2,489.