Boston United welcome AFC Fylde to the Jakemans Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the Pilgrims looking to build on an impressive away victory last weekend and the visitors aiming to respond to their first defeat in five National League matches.
Boston arrive with renewed confidence after beating Forest Green Rovers 3-1 at The New Lawn last Saturday. Tom Cursons scored twice, including a second-half penalty, before Lennon Wheeldon added the third as the Pilgrims produced a clinical away performance to secure their third league victory of the season.
The result ended a four-match winless league run for Boston. Graham Coughlan’s side had drawn 2-2 at Tamworth before losing 3-1 at home to Wealdstone and drawing 1-1 with Woking. Their last five National League matches have therefore produced one win, two draws and two defeats, with Boston scoring in each of those fixtures.
Fylde travel to Lincolnshire following a narrow 2-1 home defeat against Altrincham last weekend. Tom Whelan quickly cancelled out Kane Hemmings’ opening goal, but Matty Kosylo restored Altrincham’s advantage in the 20th minute and the Coasters were unable to find another equaliser. The defeat brought an end to Fylde’s 17-match unbeaten home league run.
Despite that setback, Fylde have enjoyed an impressive start following promotion back to the National League. Their last five fixtures have produced three wins, one draw and one defeat, including three consecutive away victories. Chris Beech’s side won 3-1 at Solihull Moors, drew 2-2 at home to Worthing and then recorded successive away victories over Yeovil Town and Harrogate Town before last weekend’s defeat.
Goals have been a prominent feature of Fylde’s campaign. The Coasters have scored 20 times in their opening nine National League matches, including four at Yeovil and three at Solihull, while they have found the net in every league fixture this season. Boston have scored 13 goals in nine matches and have also been consistent in front of goal recently, scoring in each of their last eight league games.
The most recent meetings between the clubs came during the 2024/25 National League season and both ended in 2-1 victories for Boston. The Pilgrims won 2-1 at the Jakemans Community Stadium in October 2024 before repeating the scoreline at Mill Farm in February, when Jacob Hazel scored twice to secure the away victory.
Fylde begin the weekend fourth in the National League with 17 points from nine matches, having recorded five wins, two draws and two defeats. Their 20 goals scored and 13 conceded give them a goal difference of +7. Boston have 11 points from nine games after three wins, two draws and four defeats, with 13 goals scored and 13 conceded.
Saturday therefore brings together a Fylde side that has been particularly productive in attack and a Boston team buoyed by last weekend’s victory at Forest Green. The Coasters have won each of their last three away league matches, while the Pilgrims will be looking to translate their improved recent performances into a first home league victory since beating Altrincham in August.
