AFC Fylde 1-2 Notts County (National League) 03.03.20
Notts County are back in the race for the promotion as they beat AFC Fylde last night to return to the National League playoff zone and move to sixth in the table.
After two failed attempts it was third time lucky for Notts who saw their previous away league meeting in the North West postponed due to bad weather and in the end it was the perfect result as Neal Ardley’s side came through a testing tie against the relegation threatened coasters.
Notts took the lead on 13 minutes when Enzio Boldewijn struck low a 20 yard free kick nbut just five minutes later Jordan Wiliams equalised flashing his shot across the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.
Notts managed to scramble a corner away on 27 after Willoughby’s shot was deflected behind with Philliskirk going close on the half hour mark to giving the home team the lead.
A scare for McDonnell in the Notts goal on 34 as he raced out beaten to the ball he was in the end thankful to Kevin Doyle who swept up behind to clear any danger of it trickling home.
Notts did have chances themselves in the first half, Rose blazed over on 39 before Wootton nodded down for Thomas who couldn’t take advantage inside the box.
In the second half the homeside started with intent and hit the post through Williams on 55 minutes with a curling strike from distance. On 63 equally as impressive was O’Brien’s volley for Notts from 18 yards with Hornby in the Fylde goal doing well to keep out, tipping on to the bar athletically.
Notts pressed with momentum and a corner on 77 minutes taken by O’Brien found Adam Long who headed in to get his first goal for the club since his loan signing from Wigan Athletic last month.
Fylde pushed for a leveller and Luke Burke flashed a cross shot across the face of goal on 84 and as the home team pressed Notts looked dangerous on the break going close themselves in injury time through Dennis and then Wootton to wrapping up the points.
The extra goal however was not needed, after six minutes of injury time the Referee blew the whistle and put an end to a hard fought ninety minutes and a massive win for Notts in their promotion push.
County: McDonnell, Kelly-Evans, Brindley, Long, Rawlinson, Roberts (Wilson 73), Rose, Doyle, Boldewijn (Dennis 73), Thomas (O’Brien 60), Wootton.
*Main image @NCFC_Official the Notts players celebrate Adam Long’s winning goal.