AFC Fylde 2 Altrincham 2: Honours even from pre-season encounter

AFC Fylde's Nick Haughton battles with former Coaster Matty Kosylo Picture: Steve McLellan

Kurt Willoughby gave Fylde a first-half lead from the spot after being brought down in the area, before Nick Haughton doubled the tally five minutes later.

Altrincham then scored twice in the second half with deflected efforts from Matty Kosylo and Yusifu Ceesay getting them on level terms.

The Coasters started brightly, knocking the ball around superbly.

The first real chance of the game came for Fylde when Haughton was brought down on the edge of the area by Tom Hannigan,

Willoughby stepped up, but fired the set-piece into the car park.

A few good chances finally led to the first goal of the game on 29 minutes.

Willoughby was brought down just inside the area following a strong pressing move against the Alty backline.

The same player duly picked himself up and tucked the penalty into the top corner.

Altrincham threatened as the returning Kosylo crossed towards Hannigan, but the ball evaded him and ran out of play for a goal-kick.

Then, the Coasters had a second. Haughton went on one of his trademark mazy runs and unleashed a left-footed effort towards goal.

Tony Thompson was left rooted to the spot and watched the ball fly into the top corner as the Coasters led 2-0 at the break.

The second half saw the Coasters creating chances as Haughton found Ben Tollitt with a superb cross, only for the offside flag to intervene.

Altrincham then grabbed a goal back when Kosylo tried his luck from distance.

His shot took a massive deflection, leaving Fylde keeper Chris Neal helpless.

Moments later, the visitors had another.

Ceesay drifted in from the right flank and into the area, where his shot also took a deflection, this time off Alex Whitmore, before bouncing over the line to pull the visitors level.

Haughton again caused problems for the visitors as he shot from distance but Altrincham managed to get bodies in the way.

New boy Luke Conlan then found himself in the final third, picking up a loose pass.

The full-back took one touch and hit a venomous shot towards goal but Altrincham keeper Thompson stood firm to deny him.

In the final moments of the game, the Coasters tried one last time for a winning goal.

Junior Mondal lined up a free-kick on the edge of the area but his shot went well over the bar.

AFC Fylde: Neal, Burke, Pond, Whitmore, Conlan, Philliskirk, Perkins, Mondal, Haughton, Tollitt, Willoughby. Substitutes: Johnstone, Byrne, Stanley, Trialist (x2).