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Danny Smith kept his place in the starting line-up after an excellent performance a few nights earlier with a trip to Hartlepool on Good Friday. McCann and McGavin returned to the midfield. With the first goal coming on the stroke of half-time, it made for a tense atmosphere as Hartlepool took the lead, Warren Cotton scoring a free-kick over the wall and Griffiths was rooted to the spot. Ferguson lost his cool on the touchline after a mediocre display in this first half for The Coasters. Stern words must have been said because Fylde came out for the second half and instantly picked up the tempo, Danny Smith having a shot just go slightly over the cross bar. The winger looking leggy and was substituted a few minutes later for Wright-Phillips, Ferguson applauding his 5'2 winger. The change paid off and Wright-Phillips got the equaliser, Henderson supplying the ball for his team-mate who controlled it on the run on his chest and tapped it through the arms of the keeper but it was almost cleared off the line. A much needed equaliser and words of encouragement from the manager on the touchline. The game almost changed as Hartlepool had a rare attack, McGowan missing a sitter with a header and the reaction from the player said it all, that was the chance. Griffiths restarted with the goal kick long upfield, McCann playing it to Wright-Phillips who crossed across the floor for O'Neill to strike home, 2-1! Fylde turn it round! Wright-Phillips lost the ball on the edge of the box but it fell to McCann who fed O'Neill, O'Neill taking it on his right and curling it past the keeper, a much needed cushion for The Coasters who are starting to look very comfortable. Fylde didn't stop there and deep into stoppage time Henderson found the head of Wright-Phillips who headed it into the ground and it bounced over the keeper into the corner. Wright-Phillips finished it off with another goal in the 97 minute, Henderson's free-kick was cleared but only to the edge of the box, Wright-Phillips launched his right foot through the ball and it rolled into the back of the net. 5-1 and Fylde looking like they are challengers for a play-off spot! A complete and utter rout for The Coasters!
DF: Exactly the reaction I was after, 10 goals in 2 games and to win away at Hartlepool like that is a great result. We have 5 games to go now and we have to keep up this level of performance.
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LEAGUE TABLE AFTER 41 GAMES
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Five games remaining in the National League and it's Fylde who take control of 7th place! A remarkable achievement!
With Salford, Dover and Tranmere all with a game in hand, things can easily change. Fylde are next up against Salford City in a must win game for both sides.











