Rowe ready to be force in title race with Fylde

Fylde came from three goals down against Nantwich Town to earn a share of the spoils in the third pre-season outing on Saturday. Rowe was impressed with the second-half showing and hopes for more of the same as Dave Challinor’s side prepare for the new campaign.

Rowe said: ““We were disappointed to find ourselves 3-0 down, but we had a lot of triallists playing and people in unfamiliar positions.

“It was quite difficult for us in the first half but we put on a few familiar faces after the break and I think it showed.

“We have always been a good footballing team and entertaining to watch. We like to play out from the back with a purpose and Nantwich were very similar to ourselves.

“However, when the core of our team came on in the second half the difference in class was evident.

“We were a little bit off the pace last year and this season were want to go one better and win the league.

“With the players we have brought in and the players we are looking at, we don’t want to be in the play-offs – we want to be champions.

One player the frontman singled out was Sam Finley, who was outstanding during in a goalscoring cameo at the Weaver Stadium.

“Sam is a very good player,” added Rowe. “I’d go as far as to say he is the best midfielder in our league. He has great vision, he’s aggressive and he took control of the game.”

Along with Finley, hitman Rowe was one of six substitutes brought into the fold on the hour mark with the Coasters trailing. He led the fightback with a typical thunderbolt of a goal just moments after entering the fray.

“A lot of the goals I score are from distance – I don’t score many tap-ins,” he said.

“My position is down the middle but I also enjoy playing in different areas. Playing on the left gave me a chance to cut inside on to my right foot and score. It was good to get off the mark in pre-season and hopefully I can grab a couple more before the season kicks off.”

The Coasters are back in action against non-league opposition tonight at Runcorn Town (7.45pm).