AFC Fylde can rediscover free-scoring form at Havant

National League
3pm Saturday

Havant & Waterlooville’s promotion to the National League was built around a solid defence but it will be put to the ultimate test when they take on clinical AFC Fylde.

The National League top scorers with 82 goals last term, Fylde’s best piece of business on deadline day was retaining the man who notched 24 of them. Star forward Danny Rowe was reportedly subject to a six-figure bid from League Two Cheltenham but remains with the Coasters.

Fylde have taken four points from two testing fixtures against Bromley and away to Wrexham, and they were impressive at both ends of the field against the Welsh outfit.

The majority of their summer business was focused on shoring up their defence with Arlen Birch, Neil Byrne, Luke Burke and Danny Kane joining and they should have no issues against Havant & Waterlooville.

The hosts were out of their depth in a 3-0 opening-day defeat to an average Barrow team and their defensive disorganisation could be punished by the Lancashire club.

Seven of the 11 players who started Gateshead's final game of last season have left and their new-look team can make it three wins from three games against Dover.

Former Premier League defender Mike Williamson joined the club in one of the shrewdest moves of the summer, while new signing Luke Armstrong took his tally to three goals with a brace against highly-rated Salford on Tuesday.

Dover have taken just a point from their first two matches after conceding a late goal against Bromley last time out and they could be set for another defeat.

Recommendations
AFC Fylde
3pts 13-8 Coral, Ladbrokes
Gateshead
1pt 7-5 bet365, Sky Bet

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