Fleetwood Sunday Academy Squad Vs Thornton Cleveleys

Thornton Cleveleys Vs Fleetwood Town

Result : 3 - 1


LEP League

First away game of the season for Fleetwood Towns in the L.E.P league and it was at near neighbours Thornton Cleveleys F.C. and a return to his old club for manager Mark Bowley.

There was a very warm welcome from the Thornton manager and his staff and the usual banter from Thorntons club jester Rod Howarth. The facilities as usual were excellent and the pitch in good condition. Both teams were obviously fired up for the game with good technical footballers on both sides. Fleetwood were hindered by not having a recognised goal keeper and the fact that top striker Tyler Atack pulled up with a back injury after just 5mins however this did not distract from potentially a good game of football.

The first half, however was really a stale affair with both defences well in control and very few clear cut chances. Fleetwood did have the ball in the Thornton net after 20mins only to see it ruled out by the home team official. Thornton striker Liam McDonald should have put the home team ahead when his pace took him one on one with the stand in Fleetwood keeper Josh Cawley but his effort went wide.

As the first half was coming to a close the game came to light. Fleetwood took the lead when a corner found Fran Donaghy unmarked at the back post and he slammed the ball home. As the interval whistle was about to blow Thornton equalised with a well taken lob over the advancing Fleetwood keeper by Alex Stubbs.

A minute after the restart Thornton went into the lead. A free kick was floated into the Fleetwood penalty area and Thornton striker McDonald reacted first and flicked the ball home.

This goal only seemed to rejuvenate Towns enthusiasm and they took control of the game as the Thornton players appeared to tire. With excellent movement and passing from Mick McAlpine, Jake Salsbury  Sam Price and Henry Ogden it only seemed time before they would get the equaliser. A superb header from defender Alex Bethell was saved well by the Thornton keeper, another cross/lob from Striker Josh Walker went over the keeper hit the cross bar and post before rebounding to safety.

With Fleetwood camped in the Thornton half and appearing to be running out of ideas and the impressive defender for Thornton, Sam Johnson heading everything clear it was predictable that Thornton would eventually brake away and punish Fleetwood for not being clinical in front of goal. Again it was last seasons league top goal scorer Liam McDonald who sealed the game for Thornton.  

After the game manager Mark Bowley said “It was great to go back to my old club the hospitality shown to the staff and the players was great. I am obviously disappointed with the result however the performance and effort from the players was excellent. The game in my opinion was played in excellent spirit by two very good teams. Our players are a year younger but Thornton showed just how difficult this league will be and we weren’t far off the pace. Thornton will be up there at the top at the end of the season I’m sure and we must keep believing in our own ability.  

Man of the Match: Mick McAlpine. A superb display from Mick who for periods of the game totally controlled the midfield.

Squad: Cawley. Thwelis. Bethell. McGough. Donaghy. Amos. Salisbury. Wood. McAlpine. Ogden. Atack. Subs:  Price. Phillips. Rankin. Walker. Clarke  

Scorer: Francis Donaghy