Sutton Set For Coasters Challenge
- Mark Bravery
- Oct 6, 2017
- 2 min read
Five weeks ago Sutton United narrowly avoided an encounter with Maidenhead's prolific marksman Dave Tarpey after he secured a deadline day move to Barnet, but this Saturday (7 October) they will be up against another potent striker in AFC Fylde's Danny Rowe, as the ambitious Lancashire club visit Gander Green Lane in the National League for a first ever meeting between the two clubs.
Rowe struck 47 league goals last season as his side marched to the North division title. He has already notched six at the higher level, including both in last Saturday's 2-1 victory at Leyton Orient.
Nicknamed the Coasters, AFC Fylde were formerly known as Kirkham & Wesham, under which name they won the FA Vase in 2008. Boosted by investment from Chairman and local businessman David Haythornthwaite, they enjoyed five promotions in eight seasons from the West Lancashire League to Conference North, which they reached in 2014. After then losing to Guiseley and North Ferriby in successive end-of-season play-offs, they won the title last spring by six points. This is their second season at their purpose-built Mill Farm stadium on the outskirts of the village of Wesham.
This season the Coasters have won three and drawn seven of their fourteen games and stand 19th in the table. Tuesday's 0-0 draw at home to Gateshead was their first match this season in which they failed to score.
Sutton meanwhile will look to return to winning ways after drawing their last two matches and slipping to fifth place. Nicky Bailey returned from injury for those games, but fellow midfielder Kenny Davis missed both with a hamstring strain and is doubtful for the Fylde match.
The club will be hoping for a bumper crowd as Saturday is Non-League Day, coinciding with the international break for Premier League and Championship clubs. Holders of season tickets at other clubs can gain admission for just £5, and there will be free admission for anyone aged 16 or under.