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Newly promoted Fylde Coast Gates were the visitors to Collins Park this morning. Last seasons Division One champions won 14 of their 18 games last term - only losing once. They put in an impressive performance against Northern Care last week taking a point off the Premier Leagues second placed club.
A hail covered pitch met the players and supporters this morning, and had their been more games played this campaign, this game may have been in doubt. Fylde Coast got the game underway kicking up the slope in their highly visible strip which was akin to a liquorice allsort.
Fylde Coast started well, but it was Quilligans who had the ball in the net first. The ball was played into the box, the Fylde Coast keeper came but didn't collect and as he fell to the ground Evans was on hand to prod home off the keepers head.
Evans nearly got this second when he was put clear but just as he was about to shoot, a Fylde Coast defender got back to make a superb block. Palmer then rattled the post from distance, and Spedding fired a ball across the area but Evans couldn't quite connect. Moments later Cook fired a 20 yarder goalbound which the Fylde Coast keeper did well to hang onto.
Despite the numerous chances Quilligans were creating, when Fylde Coast got the ball they knocked it about well, but they were having difficulty breaching the Quilligans rearguard.
Soon after Quilligans extended their lead. A patient build-up ended with a good exchange between Morris and Douthwaite, which was squared to Spedding who finished with aplomb on his weaker foot. Cook nearly made it 3-0, but the Fylde Coast keeper produced a smart save to deny him.
Just before half-time Fylde Coast got a goal back. Palmer was cauht in possession and Oswell raced clear to fire across Speight and into the bottom corner.
Half-time 2-1.
Quilligans started the second half with Cook testing the Fylde Coast keeper, Porter then forced another fine save from Fylde Coast custodian. On the hour Quilligans restored parity. Spedding was put through on goal and finished superbly rifling the ball into the corner from just inside the area.
On 65 minutes Baird replaced Thompson. A minute later Quilligans were 4-1 up. The Fylde Coast keeper came to collect a cross, however, Evans beat him to it and headed home. Watt replaced Slater on 73 minutes.
Moments later it was 5-1. Evans robbed a Fylde Coast defender and squared it across the area where Palmer was on hand to slide it home denying Spedding his hatrick
Tallentire replaced Spedding on 77 minutes.
The Fylde Coast keeper then pulled off an excellent save to deny yet another Cook thunderbolt, and then Speight saved well from a long range effort from Oswell.
With the clock running down Evans unlocked the Fylde Coast defence, rounded the keeper and finished superbly blasting the ball high into the net.
Evans very nearly had a fourth, but the referee chalked the goal off as he had just started to blow his whistle as the ball hit the back of the Fylde Coast net.
Final score 6-1.
Team
Speight, Porter, Douthwaite, Thompson (Baird 65), Morris, Ford, Slater (Watt 73), Cook, Spedding (Tallentire 77), Plamer, Evans.
Substitutes
Baird, Greenall, Tallentire, Watt.
Scorers
Evans 5, 66, 89, Spedding 20, 60, Palmer 75.
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