Match Preview: Eastleigh (H)

It’s the third consecutive home game for AFC Fylde who face Eastleigh at Mill Farm on Saturday afternoon.

It’s the third game in a week for the Coasters who faced Kidderminster Harriers at Mill Farm last weekend before hosting Ebbsfleet United in midweek.

Kevin Phillips’ side will be looking to get a result over Eastleigh after the visitor’s scored four in the reverse fixture back in August. Nick Haughton scored two on that afternoon as the Coasters went into the interval two-nil ahead.

The Coasters come into the test off the back of a huge midweek win over Ebbsfleet United at Mill Farm.

Goals from Charlie Jolley and Jon Ustabasi proved the difference as Phillips’ men earned a big three points on home turf heading into this weekend’s fixture.

Opposition dugout: Kelvin Davis

A well-known figure around the local parts of Eastleigh, Kelvin Davies was appointed manager of Eastleigh in mid-February before signing a new three-year deal following the conclusion of the 23/24 season.

A well-respected goalkeeper during his playing days, Davies came through the academy at Luton Town before making nearly 100 appearances for the Hatters.

Just before the turn of the century, Davies moved to Wimbledon before spells with Ipswich Town and Sunderland.

But after a stint up North, Davies returned south where he spent the remainder of his playing career at Southampton, making over 250 appearances for the Saints. He was team captain from 2009 to 2012 before being made club captain and going on to work as part of the support staff following the resignation of Eric Black.

Since leaving St Marys in 2022, Davies took permanent charge of Eastleigh in February, leading the Spitfires to a 13th-placed finish.

One to watch: Paul McCallum

Star man McCallum is flourishing during his second spell with the Spitfires. 

Last season’s leading goalscorer in the National League, McCallum hit 35 goals last campaign, leaving his record at 70 goals in 111 appearances for the Spitfires at the end of last campaign.

A fine finisher who can score all types of goals, McCallum has had plenty of experience though loan spells after joining West Ham United in 2011.

After loan spells with the likes of Rochdale, Wimbledon, Heart of Midlothian and Portsmouth, McCallum joined Leyton Orient on a permanent basis before joining Eastleigh in his first spell at the Spitfires.

An impressive return with more than a goal every two games led to a permanent move to Dagenham & Redbridge before returning back to Eastleigh at the beginning of last season.

A phenomenal season followed with the England C international winning the National League’s Golden boot award, Eastleigh’s Player of the Year award, and the Player of the Month award for December where he averages a goal every 82 minutes across the month.

The 31-year-old has already scored once against the Coasters in the return fixture back in August.

Tickets:

Fylde supporters can now purchase their tickets for the fixture against Eastleigh with admission for home fans being cheaper when purchased before the day of the game.

Prices are as followed:

West Stand premium: £21 (non-member pre-game) £25 (non-member matchday)

West Stand: £18 (non-member pre-game) £22 (non-member matchday)

West Stand U18s Young Guns: £6 (non-member pre-game) £8 (non-member matchday)

West Stand Child U18s: £4 (non-member pre-game) £6 (non-member matchday)

Adult East Terrace: £16 (non-member pre-game) £18 (non-member matchday)
East Terrace U18s Young Guns: £7 (non-member pre-game) £9 (non-member matchday)

East Terrace U12s: £5 (non-member pre-game) £7 (non-member matchday)

North Stand Adult: £13 (non-member pre-game) £15 (non-member matchday)
North Stand U18s Young Guns: £5 (non-member pre-game) £7 (non-member matchday)

North Stand U12s: FREE

To buy your tickets, please CLICK HERE

Strip:

The Coasters will be wearing their all-white home kit ahead of the clash with the Spitfires.

Match coverage:

If you are not attending the game on Saturday afternoon, then Coasters Live has you covered!

Coasters Live will be on air from 2:45PM for the 3pm kick-off. It is the only place where you can listen to full-match commentary of every AFC Fylde fixture.

To listen to Coasters Live commentaries on Mixlr, please CLICK HERE

You can also follow the game through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

X: @AFCFylde

Facebook: @AFCFyldeOfficial

Instagram: @afc_fylde

 

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