Daniels on comeback trail with seven-goal Fylde

The winger, signed from league rivals Harrogate Town in the summer, has missed the last two months but is now raring to go.

Daniels said: “I’m delighted to be playing again. When you are injured it is mentally draining, but the medical team have been top- drawer and have got me back quicker than anticipated.

“It was good to get 90 minutes under my belt. I needed some game-time to get rid of the rustiness and now I am starting to feel sharp again.

“I thought I did well, created a few goals and won a penalty, so I was pleased with my performance considering it was my first full game for a couple of months.

“It’s difficult to come to a new club and get injured so soon because I still need to prove what I can do, but now I’m back fit I hope I can.

“I’m confident can get back in the side. I just need to keep training hard, and when I get my chance I need to produce the kind of form I know I am capable of.

“It’s been frustrating but watching the team win has made it a little easier. I can’t wait to join in again.”

Daniels was among five members of the first-team squad in Tuesday’s reserve side, including striker Matt Blinkhorn, who was the star of the show with a fine hat-trick.

Goalkeeper Tony Thompson and midfielders Matty Hughes and Richie Baker also featured. Despite the strong line-up, the Coasters fell behind after just five minutes at Kellamergh Park, when Chorley’s Jordan Darr tapped home unmarked at the back post.

Fylde pushed for a leveller as young striker Baba Conteh looped a header over from a corner by Baker, who himself volleyed over from the edge of the box.

The Coasters were on level terms after 25 minutes ,when the ball fell kindly from the lively Conteh to tuck the ball under the goalkeeper from 10 years.

Fylde defender James Corbett had two headers cleared off the line from consecutive corners as the hosts piled on the pressure.

However, the visitors counter-attacked and regained the lead when Darr went clean through, cleverly rounded Thompson and slid the ball into an empty net.

The hosts equalised again when Daniels was hauled down in the box and Baker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Fylde took just a minute to complete the turnaround when Blinkhorn flicked a header over the keeper and into a gaping goal.

The second half kicked off in the same vein and the Coasters had a fourth just five minutes in, Hughes lifted the ball over the keeper.

Striker Blinkhorn grabbed his second on the hour, when he ghosted past his man into the area before calmly slotting into the far corner.

The Coasters almost had a sixth when Baker fizzed a vicious effort narrowly wide of the right post from distance.

Fylde did score again on 67 minutes, when Daniels crossed from the left and Blinkhorn neatly completed his hat-trick from close range.

Fylde made it a magnificent seven in suitable style with 15 minutes to go, when substitute Bradley Knox curled a shot into the top corner from 20 yards.

DANIEL AGNEW

AFC Fylde: Thompson, Ashby, Nightingale, Corbett, Walsh, Baker, Hughes, Conteh, Blinkhorn, Wilson, Daniels.