Daniels lose but other results help them

The Coasters – who were crowned Lancashire champions on Monday night after beating Chorley 4-1 at Bolton’s Reebok arena – showed no signs of a hangover as they dominated the opening half.

The hosts starved Stamford of possession in the opening stages as they played the ball from the back and looked to use wingers Richie Allen and Michael Barnes to create openings.

They found their breakthough on 39 minutes following creative wing play from Allen tight on the touch line. Despite being challenged by Richard Jones, he got in a cross which Matt Blinkhorn finished with a header from close range.

Stamford nearly hit back immediately. An interception in midfield allowed Ryan Robbins to get away from the centre halves but he was thwarted by a well timed tackle outside his box by the home goalkeeper.

The Daniels were able to get more into the game in the second half and, early in the period, Jon Challinor got forward on the left to take a looping Binns cross on his chest, volleying over the bar and onto the roof of the net.

Fylde also create chances. Blinkhorn missed a glorious opportunity when he fired wide but, moments later, Stamford were back. Debutant Paul Malone headed a corner over and Robbins hit a shot straight at Ben Hinchcliffe.

With just two minutes remaining, substitute Danny Lloyd wrapped it up for the home side with only his second touch. Cutting inside he fired a shot across Will Jones and in off the post.

Stamford left empty handed but results elsewhere were very favourable, so they remain 16th and still five points above the relegation zone.

Manager David Staff said: “First half was very tough against a very good side with big ambitions. We probably gave them a little bit too much room and we rode our luck. I felt second half we recovered well and could have got something from it but we needed something to go for us.

“It is always disappointing to lose but, in the bigger picture, results went for us and we had the toughest game of the weekend.”

FYLDE: Ben Hinchcliffe, David Hankin, Adam Sumner, Luke Denson, Andy Russell, Bradley Barnes, Joe Booth (Harry Winter), Matt Blinkhorn, Sean Cooke (Caspar Hughes), Richie Allen (Danny Lloyd). Subs Unused: Ryan Charnley and Matt Hughes.

STAMFORD: Will Jones, Lewis Carr, Jon Challinor, Paul Malone, Richard Jones, Emeka Nwadike (Alvin Jarvis), Dan Lawlor (Ashley Robinson), Charlie Binns (Shawn Richards), Jordan Smith, Nabil Shariff, Ryan Robbins. SUB unused: David Staff.

Attendance: 238