AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor is relishing the visit of Leyton Orient this weekend. Challinor who celebrated seven years in charge of the Coasters on Friday highlighted the test his side face on Saturday as 5th meets 3rd at the top of the National League. Speaking to afcfylde.co.uk “it will be a really tough game and one we look forward to, it’s a different challenge but we’ll put a plan in place”.

• League Record – P18  W9  D8  L1  F29  A7

Dave Challinor’s Record as Fylde Manager

Fylde head into Saturday’s game on the back of a third consecutive league win after Danny Rowe’s injury time winner against Gateshead on Tuesday night. After wasting chances in recent away games, Challinor was pleased his side were able to gain maximum points despite not playing at their best. Speaking to afcfylde.co.uk “to be able to stick one in right at the end and probably get a result which we didn’t really deserve is massively pleasing”.

Fylde’s Last Six Results

After defeat in the FA Cup qualifying rounds, Fylde will have a weekend off on the 10th November and striker Danny Rowe was thrilled his side can take momentum into Saturday’s game. Rowe struck his 12th of the season on Tuesday and highlighted picking up points when you’re not at our best is a good trait to have. Speaking to afcfylde.co.uk “three points is good for us and confidence wise going into a big game Saturday. We were no-where near our best to be honest, we didn’t create much tonight. In football if you don’t play well and win, you take that”

• Failed to score in seven league games
• Scored in eight of their ten home games this season
• Scored in their last four games and last three league
• Scored in their last five home games – scoring 10 goals
• Only failed in one of their last six games

The Coasters finished seventh in their first National League campaign and have started the season with just one defeat in their first 18 league games. Fylde were the league’s top goal-scorers last season and Challinor is aware that team’s are setting their stall out differently this year. Speaking to afcfylde.co.uk “we don’t expect it to be easy here, we expect teams to make it difficult for us. Teams know we like to be open and expansive and try to make the game as open as we can. People have been weary of that and set up differently”.

• Home League Record – P9  W7  D1  L1  F18  A4
• Best record in division, only Wrexham (3) have conceded fewer goals
• Won last four home league games
• Only lost one of last five in all competitions – (1-3 vs Chesterfield, FA Cup)
• Only lost one of lasts 15 home league games – W11   D3  L1  

Fylde’s success this season has been built on their fantastic defensive record, only conceding seven goals in 18 league games. The Coasters have gone 610 minutes without conceding in the National League with Challinor naming the same back five in their last seven league games and eight in all competitions.

Fylde’s Record after 18 games – this season and last season

• Kept 12 league clean sheets – most in league
• Kept six in their last seven games – six consecutive league clean sheets
• Kept eight clean sheets in their last nine games
• Kept five clean sheets in last six home league games
• Conceded just two goals in last 540 minutes of home league football

Fylde have only beaten one of the top six so far this season and after defeat to Orient in February, Rowe is excited to go head to head against the O’s again after netting a brace against Orient last season. Speaking to afcfylde.co.uk “it’s a big game, their a big club and are doing really well in the league. We are really looking forward to Saturday. We go into Saturday’s game looking to win. In the league we want to finish as high up as we can”.

• 18/29 league goals have been scored in second half
• 11/18 home league goals in second period
• Netted seven in the final 15 minutes of games
• Nine of the last 12 have been scored in second half

With just three points separating the top six, Saturday’s clash with Orient give Challinor’s men the opportunity to take points off one of their promotion rivals. Challinor stated to afcfylde.co.uk “we are three points behind them, we have a chance to go level on points at the weekend. Hopefully we get a good crowd, they are a good side. They are well managed, well organised and really organised”.

Top Six in National League

• Seven of their nine wins have been by two or more goals
• Eight of their last 10 wins have been by two or more goals
• Only trailed for 69 minutes this season
• Have only trailed in two games

Team News

Dave Challinor is expected to name a similar side that faced Gateshead on Tuesday night. Striker Danny Rowe will be hoping to add to his four goals in his last three games while full back Zaine Francis-Angol has three assists in his last two games.

Head to Head – AFC Fylde 1, Draw 0 , Leyton Orient 1

Last Season’s Results

• Danny Rowe and MacAuley Bonne have been involved in 3 of the 4 goals scored in this fixture

Last Time Out – 1-0 vs Gateshead

Starting 11 vs Gateshead

Prediction – AFC Fylde 1-1 Leyton Orient