Fleetwood Sunday Academy Squad Vs AFC Fylde

AFC Fylde U18s Vs Fleetwood U17s

Result : 3 - 1


LFA Cup

Last seasons winners of the Lancashire Football Association Cup go out against local rivals A.F.C. Fylde but gave an excellent account of themselves against older opposition. 

Fleetwood town came into this game on the back of two good victories in the league but they knew this would be their hardest test so far this season. The team consisting of first year scholars from the development centre showed just how much they have improved both individually and as a squad during the last few weeks.

Fleetwood started the game impressively with a high tempo and some good possession with Mike McAlpine and Jake Salisbury controlling the game from midfield. The Town players were first to the ball and had Fylde on the back foot for most of the opening 20 minutes. However the Fylde centre forward Matutu Chufya always looked dangerous on the break. Fleetwood had three good efforts on target from Dom Amos, Mick McAlpine and Jake Salisbury but the Fylde keeper Craig Unsworth dealt with them well. At the interval Town felt unfortunate that they weren’t ahead but the message from the coaching staff was simple “just keep doing the same things."

In the second half the game became scrappy but Fleetwood didn’t look like conceding until an individual error from a town defender gave  Fylde the lead. Another long ball played over the Fleetwood town defence needed simply heading back to the keeper but unfortunately the defender failed to see the town keeper advancing and headed into his own goal. 

Despite this the young town players still continued to push forward and keep possession but again an individual error gave Fylde a free kick just outside the penalty area. As the town keeper Joe Wheeler was setting up his wall the Fylde player took the free kick. It hit the post and nestled in the back of the net. To the absolute dismay of all the Fleetwood players and staff and most of the Fylde players it has to be said the Referee allowed the goal to stand.

Once again the Town players didn’t allow this to affect their performance and on 65 minutes Ashley McGough smashed the ball home to put Fleetwood back in the game. Josh Cawley then got what Fleetwood thought was the equaliser when he struck a delightful shot into the bottom corner only to see the Fylde assistant referee rule it out.

Fleetwood then made changes to the formation to go looking for the elusive equaliser but unfortunately it was Fylde that took advantage of the space at the back and finished the game off.

After the game Fleetwood manager Mark Bowley said “Steve (Steve Kershaw assistant manager) and I are delighted with the effort and commitment from the lads they have shown they can step up to this level. For long period we were the better side despite the age difference. The lads will be disappointed to have lost and that’s only right but they are developing well and that’s why we are here. Credit to Fylde they battled hard and got the bit of luck you need in these types of games and good luck to them. After winning this competition last season it is always disappointing to go out but I am very proud of my players today.”

Man of the Match: Jake Salisury

Squad: J Wheeler. L Gallagher. S Maulding. A Bethell. A McGough. L Clarke. M McAlpine. J Salisbury.(Capt) J Walker. T Atack. D Amos. J Cawley. S Rankin. 

Scorer: Ash McGough