Hartlepool United beaten 3-1 at AFC Fylde to end recent National League winning run
Hartlepool United were beaten 3-1 at AFC Fylde to end recent National League winning run.
Hartlepool United’s recent winning run in the National League came to an end after a disappointing 3-1 away defeat at AFC Fylde.
Pools headed into the game on the back of back-to-back victories over Forest Green Rovers and Hornchurch but they came unstuck on the North West coast, despite taking the lead.
Ahead of the game, head coach Pete Wild made three changes to the starting XI - with a surprise in goal. Player-coach Adam Smith started in goal, while Luke Charman and Brooklyn Ilunga also came into the side, with Jordan Hugill a sub.
Explaining the absence of on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Max Merrick, a club statement read: “As part of his rehabilitation programme with Chelsea, Max Merrick is restricted to limited minutes during his first week back and will therefore miss tonight’s fixture.” Nathan Fisher was missing through illness, Max Thompson was also missing - his short-term month-long deal ended after today’s fixture.
Meanwhile, also missing was Neo Eccleston - serving a three-game ban after his red against Hornchurch. Loanee Jack Earing (foot), Charlie Thornton (foot) and Cam John (hamstring) were also all out. Three second-half goals helped Fylde come from behind to beat Hartlepool 3-1 at Mill Farm in the National League.
Buoyed by back-to-back wins, Hartlepool made a confident start and led inside three minutes when Will Harris struck for the second game in a row after being teed up by Max Clark. Half-time Pools substitute Chris Popov had an effort cleared off the line by Chris Merrie early in the second half before Fylde levelled with 13 minutes left through Luke McCormick, on his full league debut.
Millar Matthews-Lewis put the Coasters, who had lost three of their last four games, ahead three minutes later after pouncing on a loose ball and fellow sub Jack Morris wrapped up the points in the 90th minute.
HUFC: Smith, Kouogun, Lavelle, McNally (C), Clark, Ilunga, Miley, Sheron, Deeming, Harris, Charman.
HUFC subs: Conyard, Gibson, Hunter, Penprase, Nolan, Hugill, Popov.