Fleetwood Town 7 Warrington Town 3

Tuesday November 20th 2007 UniBond League Challenge Cup 3^rd Round

Crowd 224

Goals: FTFC – Peter Wright 3, Richie Allen, Phil Denney, Kieran Walmsley, Ciaran Donnelly

Fleetwood Town treated the Highbury faithful to a Tuesday night goal bonanza, as they trounced First Division Warrington in a one sided League Challenge Cup tie. Defending the trophy that they won in April, Fleetwood had the job done by half time; the home side entering the break with a handsome 6-1 lead.

The opening goal set the tone for what was to follow; the outstanding Kieran Walmsley delivering a glorious through ball into the path of Richard Allen who controlled the ball brilliantly before rounding Warrington's hapless goalkeeper, Danny Morton, and slotting the ball into the net. Surprisingly, Warrington equalised with a well worked goal but Fleetwood were soon back in control, despite losing Jamie Milligan to injury; Ciaran Donnelly his replacement. Walmsley himself netted the second; a nonchalant right footed free kick from outside the box leaving the beleaguered Morton helpless. More brilliant approach play by Walmsley was the inspiration behind Peter Wright netting the third and Walmsley was involved again in a delightful move which led to debutant Jerome Watt delivering a sublime cross which Phil Denney netted to make it 4-1.  A long through ball from the back saw Wright more determined than Morton; the Warrington keeper making a woeful attempt to fist the ball away and being outjumped by Wright who then sped on to the loose ball to score Fleetwood's 5th. With half time beckoning, Donnelly made it 6-1 with a free kick from outside the box that curled into the far corner of the net.

Naturally, with their task already completed, Fleetwood eased off in the second half but only a series of saves by Morton prevented a double figures massacre. Warrington valiantly pulled a goal back only for Wright to complete his hat-trick with a near post header from a Donnelly corner. A carelessly misplaced pass outside the box gifted Warrington their third goal but Town ensured there were to be no further alarms with a professional performance in the dying minutes.

Watt, Wright, skipper Ricky Mercer (inevitably), Denney and Beeley all impressed but the man of the match by some distance was Kieran Walmsley who delivered an outstanding all round performance.

Team: Hale, Walmsley, Beeley, Gray, Mercer, Robinson (Fitzgerald), Watt, Milligan (Donnelly), Denney (Bell), Wright, Allen