A goal from Nick Haughton, taking his league tally up to 26 for the season, was the difference between AFC Fylde and Leamington FC at Mill Farm on the last day of the 2021/22 National league North regular season.

James Rowe had a choice to make heading into the fixture, to play the same team as against York City and rest the players most likely to feature in the Play-Off Semi-Final, thus protecting them, or send out the strongest XI in order to build momentum. My opinion, when asked by the gaffer, was the strongest team and he didn’t give anything away, but later demonstrated he agreed by welcoming back a host of players including goalkeeper Chris Neal after heart-breaking personal circumstances and Will Hatfield following his three-game suspension for a red card suffered at Southport.

After a strong start from the home side, Nick Haughton delivered what Nick Haughton has delivered all season and profited from confusion in the Brakes’ defence as Meredith ran into Eswards. Haughton’s sheer presence created a bit of chaos on the edge of the area with Leamington failing to clear their lines, he picked up on the loose ball and struck from 25 yards out to beat Callum Hawkins by finding top bins.

Leamington, who were embarking on their fourth game in two weeks including a cup final in the Birmingham Senior Cup, gave a strong showing of themselves but ran out of legs in the last half hour. Doug Taylor struck the post towards the end of the first half before Danny Philliskirk needed to be alert on the hour mark, heading behind from Adam Walker’s good strike.

Callum Hawkins in the Leamington goal played very well, denying both Taylor and Sam Osborne with strong palms away. Hawkins is on loan at Leamington from Burton Albion and will now return to his parent club.

Nick Haughton’s goal was enough to earn three points at Mill Farm but it was great to see Chris Neal back in action, in addition to recording a clean sheet.

The big news of the day was reserved for elsewhere as Guiseley were relegated by two points from Farsley Celtic. Both teams lost their games as AFC Telford United drew, for a long time it looked like Farsley were destined for the drop but two late goals from Alfreton Town against Guiseley turned the destiny of both clubs on its head.

In terms of the Play-Offs, York City earned a home Semi-Final as they drew with Telford and Chorley suffered an unexpected loss away at Spennymoor Town. Boston United earned seventh and the last Play-Off position as they beat Farsley and Kettering could only draw with Curzon Ashton.

Macauley Langstaff ended the season as top scorer in the comp with 28 goals from 39 played, Nick Haughton second on 26 and Glen Taylor of Spennymoor took third after contributing 25 goals to the Town cause.

The upcoming fixtures see York host Chorley on Wednesday at the LNER Community Stadium with the winners facing Brackley Town on Saturday in a Play-Off Semi-Final. AFC Fylde will host either Kidderminster or Boston United on Sunday, the two clubs determine which as they meet on Thursday evening.

Coasters Corner Player of the Match: Nick Haughton, but Callum Hawkins deserves recognition for his efforts.