AFC FYLDE 1, STOCKPORT COUNTY 2
Stockport County’s burning desire to reclaim their Football League status, which was lost in 2011, has been enhanced by a fruitful festive period.
Wins against FC Halifax Town and AFC Fylde in the space of 48 hours has lifted County, only promoted last season, into the National League play-off places.
Second half goals from Tom Walker and Dan Cowan inspired a fightback at Fylde after County had fallen behind to a Ryan Croasdale strike in the opening minutes.
While the Hatters are flying, the loss was a dampener for struggling Fylde who have been unable to recapture last season’s electrifying form when they came within 90 minutes of winning promotion to the EFL.
Fylde, transformed thanks to the riches of ambitious owner David Haythornthwaite, have plans to make the EFL by 2022, a far cry to 2007 when they were in North West Counties League, division two.
They have risen from the football pyramid and moved to a new state-of-the-art stadium at Mill Farm, though on the evidence of this game they are still have work to do to achieve their long-term.
County, impressive 5-1 winners at home to FC Halifax Town on Boxing Day, made a terrible start falling behind in the sixth minute.
Former County striker Danny Rowe broke on the left and fired a ball across the face of goal for Ryan Croasdale to walk into the net from a couple of yards.
It provoked a positive response from County as Festus Arthur forced a fine save from Sam Hornby, Nyal Bell fired narrowly wide and Devante Rodney also brought out the best from Hornby.
It was proving a frustrating afternoon in front of goal for County as Bell blazed over from two yards when it looked as though he couldn’t miss as he met Rodney’s cross from the right.
Despite County’s dominance, Fylde were a threat on the break as Rowe set up Neill Byrne whose looping header was superbly turned on to the upright by keeper Ben Hinchliffe who also did well to deny James Craigen after another breakaway.
County equalised in the 52nd minute after Whitmore was booked four a foul yards outside the penalty area.
And the Coasters were further punished as Walker struck the perfect free kick which arrowed into the top corner of the net.
County were celebrating again just after the hour when they went ahead for the first time.
Elliott Osborne found overlapping right-back on the right edge of the box and he found the net with an unstoppable drive across the face of goal.
Devante Rodney fired a shot agonisingly wide as County almost sealed victory.
It looked a though it might be a costly miss as Fylde so nearly snatched a late leveller.
County’s Jordan Keane had to make a goalline clearance and that was followed by Whitmore glancing a header wide when he could easily have found the net.