COLNE Reserves’ final game of the season gave them plenty of food for thought as they went down to a classy AFC Fylde side at the XLCR Stadium on Monday night.
The visitors took the lead after only eight minutes when they opened up the home defence for Ricardo Egide to fire home from 12 yards.
Colne fought hard to compete and Sean Thompson came close with several efforts on the visitors’ goal. But Fylde doubled their lead on the half hour when Isaac Kusaloka’s high cross was headed home at the far post by Egide.
Colne’s hopes were dealt a severe blow just before half-time when Jason Barrowclough was sent off for retaliation reducing his side to 10 men.
In the second half, Reds keeper Bobby Harris produced a string of outstanding saves but was beaten again after 58 minutes when Kusaloka forced home the loose ball after Harris had pulled off a double save.
Within three minutes, Fylde got their fourth goal when Ross Ainsworth turned in Nathan Cook’s low cross.
Colne staged a late rally and Kieran Demaine saw his shot deflected for a corner in a crowded penalty area and Dominic Craig’s cross was fisted away off the head of Dave Blacklock at the far post. But the Reds were punished again in the final minute when Egide completed his hat trick by slotting home Fylde’s fifth goal to round off a comprehensive victory.