AFC Fylde produced a commanding second-half performance to secure a 2-0 victory over a struggling Ebbsfleet United at Mill Farm, lifting them to 19th in the National League. The opening 45 minutes proved a cagey affair, with early yellow cards for Fylde’s Ben Winterbottom and Ebbsfleet’s Pape Souaré setting the tone for a tense, fiercely contested midfield battle. Neither side could carve out any clear-cut chances, as defences remained on top, disrupting the flow of the game and stifling any attempts to build sustained attacks. The two sides went into the break goalless, the match delicately poised.
The second half, however, saw a different Fylde emerge. The deadlock was broken in the 56th minute, Jonathan Ustabasi’s clever pass finding Charlie Jolley, who finished with aplomb to give the Coasters the lead. The goal energised the home side and visibly deflated Ebbsfleet, who responded with a series of substitutions in an attempt to revitalise their attack. However, the changes seemed to disrupt Ebbsfleet further, playing into Fylde’s hands.
The Coasters capitalised on the visitors’ disarray in the 71st minute. This time, Ustabasi turned goalscorer, doubling Fylde’s advantage with a well-taken finish, assisted by Nick Haughton. The goal effectively sealed the victory for Fylde, prompting further substitutions from both sides as the game wound down. Fylde comfortably saw out the remaining minutes, expertly managing the game and limiting Ebbsfleet to few, if any, further opportunities. The final whistle confirmed a deserved three points for AFC Fylde, while Ebbsfleet remain rooted to the bottom of the table, their winless streak now extending to 11 matches. This result reverses the recent head-to-head record between the two sides, which had seen Ebbsfleet win one and draw one of their previous two meetings.