Today was my first game since Curzon Ashton (a) in March 2020 and how good to be back watching BUFC again!!
Whilst not really looking like winning the game too many times today, I don't think we would have lost either without the penalty award - so I drove the 35 miles home feeling disappointed not to come away with a point.
There were some changes to the starting line-up from last week, and some tinkering to be done after losing Tootle through injury late in the first half, but not having seen the Spennymoor game I can't compare the two performances. Looking at today, though, and the fact that we were away at the joint-favourites, I don't think any panic button should be pressed yet. Sure, Fylde had plenty of the ball and were pretty to watch at times, but there was no constant bombardment on our goal. They did seem to find space fairly easily out wide, but they weren't able to deliver any real pinpoint crosses.
Going forward we did have our moments without giving their keeper too much to do until he was called upon to make three very good second-half saves. Indeed, that very late on-the-ground save from Jordan Burrow's header was an excellent save. He did, though, have the fortune to see the ball then fall to a defender, whereas Peter Crook had no such luck after his excellent penalty save as the ball rebounded back to the Fylde penalty taker.
Not sure as to the size of gates they are expecting this season, but the announcer described today's attendance as a 'fantastic' 1,166. Didn't hear a separate figure for the BUFC following, but I suppose there were 80 - 85 behind the goal. Didn't see how many were in the designed block of the main stand for away fans, but there were a few of us sat in a block much closer to the halfway line (sat there to get a better view for our £18.00!!)
Now looking forward to coming to my first home game next Saturday since the 1-0 win v. AFC Telford in that last-ever Saturday home match at York Street with a crowd in attendance in February 2020.