Fylde RFC camp get set for Preston Grasshoppers derby date after victory on the opening day
Derby day sees Preston Grasshoppers and Fylde both bidding to build on their winning start to the National League Two North season.
Both sets of coaches are always keen to play down any hint of extra significance to meetings of the local rivals, but the fans know differently …
Last year’s clashes brought two very tense finishes, with Fylde clinching a 24-20 away win, while, in the return fixture before Christmas, Hoppers grabbed a 22-22 draw with a late conversion by Sam Freeman after being 19-0 behind at half-time.
There was an eerie echo of that game last Saturday, when Freeman landed a stoppage-time penalty to earn his side a 27-26 victory over Heath after being 14 points down early on.
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That performance prompted head coach Dan Orwin to say: “We need to work on our discipline in defence and we didn’t keep the ball well in attack. But we know we can do much better and will be difficult to beat if we play to our full potential.”
As has become the norm in recent years, the second weekend of the season is derby day between Fylde and Preston Grasshoppers.
With Lightfoot Green Lane having staged last year’s opening derby, the Woodlands is the venue this weekend as both sides look to back up victories on day one.
Fylde returned from Billingham with a 17-7 success and their joint-head coach said: “It’s happened for a few years now with the way the league’s set up, the local game is the second one and the last one before Christmas as well.
“It’s going to be a good game. Whether it’s at Fylde or Preston, it’s always a game that’s well attended and it’s got some history behind it.
“It’s a contest in its own right and we will want to get better this week, while I’m sure Preston will have a few things they want to work on. It’s going to be a full-blooded game but we want to build on our win at Billingham.”