AFC Fylde produced a dominant attacking display to overwhelm Aldershot Town 5-2 in a pulsating National League encounter at Mill Farm. The Coasters took a deserved lead in the 26th minute when Nick Haughton expertly finished a move crafted by Adam Long. The goal sparked a flurry of action. Just five minutes later, Haughton returned the favour, providing the assist for Charlie Jolley to double Fylde’s advantage. The home side’s relentless pressure continued, and in the 38th minute, Gavin Massey extended the lead to 3-0, converting a chance created by Jolley. Aldershot, stunned by the Coasters’ fast-paced attacking play, rallied briefly before half-time. Josh Barrett reduced the deficit in the 40th minute, converting a James Henry assist. Moments later, in the 45th minute, Henry himself got on the scoresheet, assisted by Christian Maghoma, to make it 3-2 at the break, setting up a potentially thrilling second half.
The second half proved to be just as eventful, with both sides continuing to create chances. Massey secured his brace in the 54th minute, restoring Fylde’s two-goal cushion, with Jolley again providing the assist. The scoring was completed in the 66th minute when Jolley, instrumental throughout, finally capped his impressive performance with a deserved goal, assisted by Haughton. The final 20 minutes saw a series of substitutions and yellow cards as both teams battled for control, but Fylde comfortably saw out the victory. The Coasters’ clinical finishing and Charlie Jolley’s influential display, in which he scored one and assisted two, proved decisive in securing the three points. Coming into the match, the two sides had met twice in recent seasons, with honours even. Fylde’s victory sees them climb to 21st in the National League table with 12 points, while Aldershot sit 17th with 14 points.