24,000 Orient supporters bellowed as the O’s kick-started the 2019 FA Trophy final. The National League Champions saw their first effort of the game after a sharp counter attack. Jamie Turley’s interception began the move before Jobi McAnuff’s curling effort was blocked away from danger.
The game was stopped five minutes into the tie following a nasty clash of heads between Josh Coulson and Neill Byrne, with the latter coming off worse from the challenge. Byrne received treatment on the side of the pitch before being forced off as Tom Brewitt came on from the bench.
Fylde’s Andy Bond will have been upset having turned an effort over the bar after 15 minutes. A superb ball into the area from Nick Haughton found Bond but with too much pace on the ball, the Fylde man couldn’t keep his effort down.
Orient Flustered
A good spell from the Coasters forced Dean Brill into action, tipping a cross-come-shot wide as Rowe made his first impact of the game. Brill was quickly called upon again, punching away Alex Reid’s stinging effort from the edge of the area.
Haughton and Reid combined to tangle up the O’s defence though the finish was poor, as Reid struck a tame effort straight into the grateful hands of Brill. James Brophy was the first red shirt to hit the target, cutting in from the right-flank but seeing his shot claimed comfortably by Jay Lynch.
Momentum swung in favour of the O’s as the half-time whistle fast approached. Youngster Josh Koroma had two half chances, failing to hit the target on either occasion as the striker looked to open the scoring.
Fylde should have taken a lead into the break with a glorious chance falling to Bond at the back post. Turley was caught napping as Bond got in behind the right-back, but couldn’t hit the target with the goal at his mercy from six-yards out as the teams entered the break all square.
Impact Sub
With nothing to separate the sides, Fylde got the ball rolling again for the second half. Orient opted for a half-time switch with Jordan Maguire-Drew replacing Turley, meaning Brophy was deployed in the right wing back position.
Quickly, McAnuff was upended in a dangerous position around 25 yards from goal. From the resulting free-kick, Maguire-Drew struck the post with a delicious left-footed effort which was cleared behind. From the corner, Dan Happe towered above his man but nodded over at the back post.
The O’s had a new lease of life with Maguire-Drew’s introduction injecting some energy and pace into the match. This appeared to lift Orient as they went in search of an opening goal, shooting towards their vocal supporters.
On 56 minutes, Orient were denied by the woodwork for a second time. Maguire-Drew’s corner picked out Marvin Ekpiteta who was lingering at the back stick, the defender rose highest only to see his header come back off the post.
Killer Blow
However, it was Fylde who drew first blood courtesy of Rowe on the hour mark. Fylde won a free-kick left of centre, Rowe curled the ball over the wall and in at the near post leaving Brill stranded and Orient on the back foot.
Matt Harrold replaced Happe as Justin Edinburgh sacrificed defence for attack. Agonisingly, the O’s were thwarted by the woodwork for a third time from Joe Widdowson’s strike, Harrold’s rebound was heading in but struck Maguire-Drew in the goal mouth who was in an offside position.
Orient’s final change saw Charlie Lee enter the fray in his final appearance for the club. Brophy drew a foul on the left side of the box, Maguire-Drew delivered the free-kick towards Harrold who could not direct his header on target.
The target man squandered Orient’s last chance of the game. Maguire-Drew drove down the left before picking out Harrold whose downward header bounced harmlessly over the crossbar. Despite their frustration, Orient will break for the summer before getting set for their Football League return.
Match Stats
ORIENT: Brill, Widdowson, Coulson, McAnuff (Lee 78’), Clay, Bonne, Happe (Harrold 68’), Brophy, Koroma, Ekpiteta, Turley (Maguire-Drew 45’)
SUBS: Sargeant, Ling.
BOOKED:
GOALS:
AFC FYLDE: Lynch, Francis-Angol, Byrne (Brewitt 12’), Tunnicliffe, Bond, Croasdale, Rowe, Philliskirk, Birch (Crawford 90+3’), Haughton (Odusina 74’), Reid.
SUBS: Griffiths, Hardy.
BOOKED:
GOALS: Rowe (60’)
REFEREE: Andrew Madley
ATTENDANCE: 42, 962 (FA Vase and FA Trophy)
