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With Fairbrother back on the pitch, coach Chris Briers sent on Matt Ashcroft and Freddie Deeks to replace Greg Morgan and Rob Williamson, fresh legs and bodies needed due to the amount of bone crunching defence Fylde were having to do. This was in part due to Fylde lacking the fluency they had shown in the previous 2 weeks, their struggles to build sustained phases of their own meaning they were unable to force Otley to defend themselves for long periods, which would have given them a rest from having to put the big hits in themselves, defence always more tiring than having ball in hand. In the last 20 minutes Fylde did improve their accuracy and created more pressure of their own, finally stressing Otley into penalties in their own territory. Will Hunt kicked one on 61 minutes to bring Fylde back to within a point at 16-15 down, and things began to get more tense as time ticked down. Both teams were making breaks but either good defence or inaccuracies at crucial moments meant neither could finish off any of these opportunities. Will Hunt saw a drop goal attempt drop short and then a long- range break from Freddie Reader made Otley’s scramble defence offend at the breakdown and gave Hunt another chance on 69 minutes, but his penalty kick drifted just wide. Hunt, was, however, given another chance on 77 minutes when Fylde’s pressure forced another penalty, and this time Hunt was successful, and Fylde were finally back in front at 18-16, with just 7 minutes left. The challenge now was to manage the re-start and exit effectively. The kick-off was gathered and Fylde set up the short pass and drive option to recycle the ball and run the clock down. Unfortunately, on the last of these, the ball carrier was slightly isolated, Otley got hands on and the referee awarded the penalty for not releasing. It was still a difficult clutch kick from distance and angle, but Irvine showed nerves of steel to send it between the posts and Otley had snatched the lead back at 19-18. There was time to re-start but Fylde over chased the kick in their efforts to forge a last chance of their own, and Otley were able to break up field, set up a few phases, and kick the ball out with time up. A tight contest which was great entertainment was over. It would be hard to deny that Otley deserved the win for their better accuracy and for having the lion’s share of possession and territory. However, having fought so hard all day, despite lacking fluency, and doing so well to get in front with just a few minutes left, Fylde were left frustrated and disappointed with not being able to see the game out.
Joint head coach Chris Briers commented; “With it being such a close game and us taking the lead so late on, it was a bit deflating to give away a penalty and see them pip us at the post. However, we can’t fault the efforts the lads put in, they worked really hard defensively and put some huge shots in, there were lads out there playing on with knocks. Speaking to the Otley coaches, they were keen to deny us possession as they know what we can do with too much of it. The challenge for us is to manage the game better so we can get the amount of possession we need to hurt the opposition more.” Fylde remain fourth with 5 games left, the next being Hull at home next week. With third bottom Hull losing on Saturday and the bottom two winning, Hull will come to The Woodlands desperate for victory. With Ladies Day on, England v Wales kicking off at 4.45, and entertainment in the club later, it promises to be a busy day, a healthy crowd supporting Fylde’s efforts to get back to winning ways as they look to secure fourth spot would be appreciated. Fylde: Reader, Dorrington J, Clayton, Forster, Lanigan, Hunt, Kincart (Smith 40), Fairbrother, Harrison (Captain), Quinn (Dorrington B 74), Morgan (Ashcroft 52), Walton, Altham (King 47), Williamson (Deeks 56), Rudkin Otley: Irvine, Taylor, Derry, Holmes, Graham, Crossland, Rowntree (Connor), Warren-Lambert, Hodge, Mullin (Ademakin/Lunn), Malthouse, Green, Baxter (Moss), Gibson, Jarman (Nicholls)
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