Motherwell travelled south on Friday and proved to be strong and structured opposition. Fleetwood matched the Scottish Premier outfit in the first half for strength and moved the ball around the pitch well. With some fine defensive work and goalkeeping from Kieran O’Boyle the visitors were denied on a number of occasion only to be beaten by a fantastically taken free kick which riffled passed the wall and nestled into the bottom corner. The visitors scored a second with yet another great strike from the edge of the area from a corner after the ball had been cleared only to find a spare man. Fleetwood reduced the score line with a solo run from Adam Sumner who ended with a strike worthy of any premiership player.
The second half showed the difference in teams as the visitors started to move the ball around with higher tempo and more purpose. With a number of changes in personnel taking place and eagerness to win the ball back, the visitors produced some good passing movements, which unlocked the Fleetwood backline and produce two further goals to complete the scoring.
These types of games are great to show the lads the pace of elite level football and for them to understand the need for retention on the ball. Motherwell who finished close behind Celtic in there Youth league last season beating Rangers to the second spot provided the challenge required for the Fleetwood squad to progress. Moving the ball quickly with purpose is something we work on in training and this level of opposition gives the challenge to try to produce just that.
