The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
AFC Fylde vs Chelmsford
F.A. Trophy First Round
20th December 2025
After the fall from the top in the National League, it was a chance to embark on a cup run and aim to rebuild the shattered confidence amongst the Fylde squad. Chelmsford from the division below were the visitors and Ferguson changed the side to give certain players a rest. Freddy Burton played right back, club captain Ryan Croasdale played as the holding midfielder, Sterling and Fisher played further up the field. It didn't start well for Fylde when Mputu-Kaluyituka put Chelmsford ahead after ten minutes, finishing into the top corner. Chelmsford's wide players were having a major impact, Mputu-Kaluyituka and Nurse were operating on the flanks and Nurse providing the assist for Skinner's goal and it put Chelmsford 2-0 up. Abysmal and embarrassing from Fylde in the opening 30 minutes resulted in boos from all four corners of Mill Farm. It was a walk of shame going into the home dressing room at half-time. Danny Smith showed some magic as he brought the ball from the flank into the box, jinxed past two defenders and laid it off for Townsend to have his first shot saved but finishing his second attempt. Dan Fisher done brilliantly in midfield to win the ball back and lay it off for Sterling to come forward, Sterling played it to the pacey Robinson who edged past the defence and slotted into the bottom right corner, 2-2 and all to play for! Chelmsford kicked off and utilised the wide play effectively getting up the pitch. Mputu-Kaluyituka played in Griffiths who left Hadler wrong-footed and after a minute conceding, put themselves back in front! The winning goal and it sees Fylde exit the competition at the first hurdle.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Dagenham & Redbridge
26th December 2025
Ferguson was in a crisis and had to do something to change his sides fortunes. A three man midfield of McGavin, Wisdom and Croasdale to try to sure things up was the strategy he was going for. Fylde had the better of possession, playing a simple passing game and building patiently, it seemed to be working and the fans appreciated the football. The chances were created however there was not enough substance or ruthlessness to put them away. It looked like this side had very little confidence and the home crowd was not helping matters. The game looked to be heading for a draw and it would ultimately change the pattern of results but as Brown whipped in the free-kick on 86 minutes for Clarke, his powerful header was enough to hit the back of the net before Hadler could get down to it. Fylde had no option but to push forward. Two minutes later it was Brown whipping in another free-kick and Sims crashing a volley past Hadler to give Dagenham the result. Another poor result for Fylde.
DF: I will be meeting with the chairman tonight and we are going to discuss our plan going forward. The decision is in his hands.
PLAYER RATINGS
F.A. Trophy First Round
20th December 2025
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After the fall from the top in the National League, it was a chance to embark on a cup run and aim to rebuild the shattered confidence amongst the Fylde squad. Chelmsford from the division below were the visitors and Ferguson changed the side to give certain players a rest. Freddy Burton played right back, club captain Ryan Croasdale played as the holding midfielder, Sterling and Fisher played further up the field. It didn't start well for Fylde when Mputu-Kaluyituka put Chelmsford ahead after ten minutes, finishing into the top corner. Chelmsford's wide players were having a major impact, Mputu-Kaluyituka and Nurse were operating on the flanks and Nurse providing the assist for Skinner's goal and it put Chelmsford 2-0 up. Abysmal and embarrassing from Fylde in the opening 30 minutes resulted in boos from all four corners of Mill Farm. It was a walk of shame going into the home dressing room at half-time. Danny Smith showed some magic as he brought the ball from the flank into the box, jinxed past two defenders and laid it off for Townsend to have his first shot saved but finishing his second attempt. Dan Fisher done brilliantly in midfield to win the ball back and lay it off for Sterling to come forward, Sterling played it to the pacey Robinson who edged past the defence and slotted into the bottom right corner, 2-2 and all to play for! Chelmsford kicked off and utilised the wide play effectively getting up the pitch. Mputu-Kaluyituka played in Griffiths who left Hadler wrong-footed and after a minute conceding, put themselves back in front! The winning goal and it sees Fylde exit the competition at the first hurdle.
PLAYER RATINGS
AFC Fylde vs Dagenham & Redbridge
26th December 2025
=
Ferguson was in a crisis and had to do something to change his sides fortunes. A three man midfield of McGavin, Wisdom and Croasdale to try to sure things up was the strategy he was going for. Fylde had the better of possession, playing a simple passing game and building patiently, it seemed to be working and the fans appreciated the football. The chances were created however there was not enough substance or ruthlessness to put them away. It looked like this side had very little confidence and the home crowd was not helping matters. The game looked to be heading for a draw and it would ultimately change the pattern of results but as Brown whipped in the free-kick on 86 minutes for Clarke, his powerful header was enough to hit the back of the net before Hadler could get down to it. Fylde had no option but to push forward. Two minutes later it was Brown whipping in another free-kick and Sims crashing a volley past Hadler to give Dagenham the result. Another poor result for Fylde.
DF: I will be meeting with the chairman tonight and we are going to discuss our plan going forward. The decision is in his hands.
PLAYER RATINGS
