HAUGHTON SENDS THE SAD HOOPS BACK DOWN

By Fergus Brennan

AFC FYLDE 2

Westley 60, Haughton 79

OXFORD CITY 1

Parker 15

AFTER a run of 11 games without a win for the Hoops, relegation has finally been confirmed.

It was the Hoops’ debut season in the National League in a season where they struggled to find consistency.

Josh Parker put Oxford ahead in the first half but it wasn’t enough as Fylde grabbed two second-half goals from Joe Westley and Nick Haughton to win the game.

Fylde boss Chris Beech said: “Nick does what he does for the second goal with a brilliant free-kick.

“Those goals were worthy of winning any game.”

“I didn’t realise today that (relegation) had happened, my interest is to look after ourselves. I went to watch them last Sunday play against Halifax and thought they were very good.

“I was discussing how difficult it is to compete at National League level because it’s not thousands of pounds now it’s millions, even to try and stay in the league never mind get out of it.

Moore 6, Kabo O’Connell 6, R Humphrey-Ew 5, 52), Ashby 6 6, Greenslade Phillips, Potter

“It was our game to lose and I’m really proud of how the lads handled the pressure because it’s hard when the pitch isn’t slick.

“It’s so frustrating to behind from not that much pressure, but at halftime I told the players to go and relax and go and express yourselves.”

In what was a feisty first half affair, it was Oxford City that led at the break.

Parker scored with the away side’s only chance of the first half. After what looked to be a dreadful challenge on Danny Ormerod, the striker was still down in pain on the floor while Parker was played in to dispatch the ball into the bottom-left corner.

Oxford were on the end of three yellow cards in the first half but were ultimately defensively sound at the back limiting Fylde’s chances.

Fylde’s best opportunity came from Nick Haughton, who managed to wriggle his way into the box only for his strike to hit the outside of the post with a left-footed effort.

Danny Ormerod also had a few chances, but his attempts dragged just wide of the post.

The second half was much of the same with the Coasters dominating in possession and chances and this finally paid off as r, 84). Subs not ‘Kane Watson 5; lo 6, Roberts 6, y (Coyle 5, 25); 5 (Birtwhistle eet 6; Parker ubs not used: sniqi

Westley scored his third goal of the season since joining on loan from Premier League side Burnley. Oxford may feel they should have had a penalty in the 69th minute as Tafari Moore took a tumble in the box after he managed to poke the ball at Theo Richardson.

AFC Fylde then grabbed the goal they deserved in the 79th minute as Haughton earned a free-kick on the edge of the box that he fired into the top-left corner to make it 2-1.

The win for Fylde moves them closer to safety with a five-point cushion over the Boreham Wood, while Oxford will be looking to give it their all in their final five games of National League football.

STAR MAN: Nick Haughton (Fylde) ATT: 1,338

ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Dean Watson