MOORS tasted their fourth consecutive defeat in the Vanarama Conference North after losing 1-0 at home to AFC Fylde on Tuesday night, reports John Clothier.
Moors have only played the Coasters twice previously with both games coming in the cup back in 2012/13, but Fylde’s recent success must not go unnoticed.
During the last 12 years their progress has been meteoric having been crowned champions in the West Lancashire league in seven out of eight seasons between the 1999 and 2007.
In 2008 they won the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium and promotion from the Premier Division to the Conference North via the play-offs last season has seen them take the league by storm and before Tuesday’s match they sat five points clear at the top of the table.
It was another bitterly cold night that greeted the two teams but it was Fylde who turned on the heat in the opening 20 minutes.
Lloyd-McGoldrick was through in the first minute and Tony Breeden made the first of several fines saves before on eight minutes Allen found himself in oceans of space on the right flank but despite a good cross no Fylde attacker could make a connection.
Moors were lucky on the quarter hour mark when Breeden’s save at the right-post suggested the ball had already crossed the goal line and the Moors goalkeeper again foiled Lloyd- McGoldrick’s low shot on 20 minutes whilst Wilson’s effort was wide.
Having weatherd the storm Moors’ first real chance came at the half-way stage of the half when Ryan Beswick cleared the bar from 15 yards after good work from Bogle and Knights. Almost immediately Solihull had the ball in the net after a long free kick from Jay Denny beat keeper Hinchcliffe but the referee adjudged he was fouled.
Moors piled on the pressure and on 28 minutes Wilson nearly put through his own goal from a Beswick free kick.
At the other end Michael Nottingham headed wide on 32 minutes as the visitors came back but a great save from Breeden just before the interval saw the two teams close the half without scoring
Fylde were straight out of the blocks from the start of the second period with Lloyd McGoldrick shooting wide on ten minutes but Moors were starting to edge the game as Knights penalty shout was dismissed.
On 70 minutes Knights found Bogle in the box who turned and unleashed an unstoppable bullet that hit the cross bar but over to safety.
Elvins headed wide as Moors kept up the pressure whilst at the other end Rowe’s free kick thankfully just cleared Breeden’s cross bar.
With 15 minutes remaining Beswick picked out Bogle in the six yard box but Hinchcliffe saved a certain goal with his foot.
Rowe’s low cross right across the goal line thankfully eluded everyone and again Breeden was on hand to deny Lloyd McGoldrick.
Chances came thick and fast with Beswick’s free kick being met by Daly as the clock ticked away but there was nobody to take advantage whilst the irrepressible Byfield saw his effort whistle just wide of the mark.
With Stefan Moore on for Bogle Moors looked for the elusive opening but it happened at the wrong end of the pitch.
In the first minute of added on time a rasping shot from Fylde rattled Moors’ cross bar and as the ball rebounded to Hughes on the 18 yard line the full back hammered it home to give the visitors a late, if not against the run of play, victory.
Whilst the result was disappointhing the performance should give the team every confidence as they prepare for Saturday’s match at home against mid-table Brackley Town.
