AFC Fylde welcome Hornchurch to Mill Farm on Friday evening seeking a third successive home National League victory, while the visitors are looking for their first away league win since August. Craig Mahon’s side sit seventh with 26 points from 15 matches, five ahead of 13th-placed Hornchurch, who have lost their last two fixtures.
Fylde produced a late comeback to beat Hartlepool United 3-1 on Tuesday, having trailed from the third minute following Will Harris’s opener. Luke McCormick equalised in the 77th minute on his first league start before substitutes Millar Matthews-Lewis and Jack Morris scored in the closing stages. The Coasters had overturned the deficit with three goals in the final 13 minutes.
Mahon praised the collective contribution of his squad afterwards, highlighting the impact of the substitutes alongside the work of those who started. He also challenged his players to build on the result against Hornchurch, warning that Tuesday’s victory would count for little unless they followed it with another strong performance. The quick turnaround gives Fylde just three days between home fixtures.
The victory provided an immediate response to Fylde’s 4-0 defeat at unbeaten leaders Boreham Wood the previous Saturday. Their preceding home league match had also brought three points, with Danny Mayor and Aaron Drewe scoring in a 2-0 victory over Scunthorpe United. Fylde have now won three of their seven home league fixtures, drawing two and losing two.
Hornchurch suffered a second successive league defeat on Tuesday when Yeovil Town won 2-1 at Hornchurch Stadium. Zain Westbrooke opened the scoring for the visitors in the 72nd minute before substitute James Daly doubled their advantage six minutes later. Charlie Pegrum pulled one back in the 90th minute, but Daryl McMahon’s side could not find an equaliser.
The Urchins had previously lost 2-1 at Hartlepool despite taking the lead through Angelo Balanta shortly after half-time. Hartlepool were reduced to 10 men following Neo Eccleston’s dismissal, but an own goal from Ryan Inniss and a late Luke Charman winner completed the comeback. Hornchurch have now suffered three defeats in their last four league matches.
Hornchurch’s away results provide a particular challenge ahead of the trip to Lancashire. They have lost six of their eight away league fixtures and have not won on the road in the competition since August, although they have enjoyed home victories against Scunthorpe, Aldershot and Eastleigh. Defender Ryan Inniss was also forced off injured early in Tuesday’s defeat to Yeovil, with his availability for Friday yet to be confirmed.
Fylde begin the evening seventh in the National League with 26 points from 15 games, while Hornchurch sit 13th on 21 points. The Coasters are looking to build on successive home victories, with McMahon’s side seeking to end their two-match losing run and improve a difficult away record.
