Celebrating its 125th anniversary, the Lancashire FA Challenge is no stranger to Fylde who have lifted the trophy 3 times in 4 years.
The victorious Fylde manager Dave Challinor said the clubs good form in recent weeks helped:
‘The lads are ecstatic, very pleased to win, we came into the game in good form, and knew that if we got a big result it would be good for us.’
A familiar face in Adam Russell came back to haunt Chorley by netting the first goal for Fylde in the 28th minute, and set up Harry Winter for the coasters second late on in the first half, after James Dean had brought the Magpies level on 42 minutes.
The game was finely poised as the 2nd half got under way, with both sides having spells of possession and chances to boot thereafter.
It wasn’t until the 87th minute however, when Fylde winger Michael Barnes burst forward and beat Sam Ashton in the Chorley goal, which effectively ended the contest.
In the dying embers of added time Barnes struck again to rub salt into the wounds of their Lancastrian rivals.
‘We were in the game, Fylde are a good side on a good run, we’ve played at a great stadium tonight, the lads have worked hard to get here, the results not gone our way, we look forward to Saturday in the league.’
The game was closer than the score line suggested, however it was a true reflection of the sides contrasting form of late.
Chorley have won only once in their last 8 games, despite still occupying top spot in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division, with a game in hand and a three point cushion on the chasing pack.
Magpies boss Flitcroft was quick to dispel any knock on effect the cup final defeat may have on his side’s title hopes:
‘I think it’ll motivate us to go out and win the league, Fylde have obviously had a good night tonight, but we’re top of the league, we’re the team that everybody’s got to catch and we’ve got a good run of games coming up, we’ve just got to make sure we keep going, keep plugging away for the last 10 games of the season.’
Fylde are on a 16 game unbeaten run and have climbed up to 2nd in the league.
The coasters boss hopes his side can kick on in the league after winning the cup.
‘It was important that we won, not because their was a trophy on offer, which is great but, Chorley are having a bit of a wobble, and I think if they’d of won it might of given them the kick on that they needed going into league games, but its still in their hands, if they win all their games they win the league, its as simple as that.’
Challinor did say that the team would enjoy tonight but celebrations would be kept to a minimum until the end of the season.
‘We’ll save our celebrations for the end of the season, no matter what happens from now until then, they’ve worked there socks off, hopefully this is the first of some more success.’
Both teams return to league action on Saturday at 3pm. Fylde welcome Stamford to Kellamergh Park, while Chorley are also at home, playing host to Nantwich Town at Victory Park.
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