Fleetwood Town FC 2 Worksop Town FC 1
Saturday September 8th 2007 UniBond
League Premier Division
Crowd 573
Goals: FTFC – Phil Denney, Andy Bell
WTFC – Andy Wright (pen)
Fleetwood
Town bounced back from their midweek defeat at the hands of Marine, courtesy of
two first half goals by in-form strike duo, Phil Denney and Andy Bell. Manager
Tony Greenwood made a series of changes, recalling the fit again pair of Jerome
Fitzgerald and Martin Moran at the expense of Shaun Gray and Jonathan Smith
who, along with Guy Heffernan, didn’t even make the bench. Two men who did were
close season signings, Steve Foster and Keiran Walmsley who made way for the return of
Fleetwood
grabbed the early lead their confidence required with a genuine goal of the
season contender; Phil Denney taking a pass from Ciaran
Donnelly into his stride before unleashing a ferocious 25 yard shot which
cannoned off the underside of the bar before hitting the back of the net. Minutes
later the home side doubled their advantage; Bell scampering onto a pass from
Donnelly before lobbing the ball over a defenders head and firing in a cross
which a Worksop defender could only deflect into the net. Donnelly often cut an
isolated figure wide on the right but his quality was evident in his
contribution to both goals and it has to be said too that the presence of the
former Blackpool ace on the right and Allen on the left gave the Town side a
more balanced look. Bell and Denney continued to thrive and with the confidence
that comes from 7 goals in just 5 outings together this season, the dangerous
duo were a constant threat until Bell limped out of the action on the brink of
half time through injury.
Town were not
as commanding during the second half and when the visitors halved Fleetwood’s
advantage with a penalty awarded for a foul by Nathan Pond, the confidence
started to drain away from the home side. Skipper Ricky Mercer and his centre
back partner Moran remained resolute at the back and Danny Hurst also impressed
with his self-assured handling. With the tension mounting, Foster utilised his
experience and strength to run the clock down whilst stubbornly holding off
several agitated opponents to retain the ball out-wide, deep in the opposition
half. The final whistle came as a relief and Town will be looking to build upon
this win on Tuesday when they visit Prescot Cables.
Fleetwood Town Team: Danny Hurst, Phil Robinson,
Jez Fitzgerald, martin Moran, Ricky Mercer ©, Nathan Pond,
Ciaran Donnelly (Kieran Walmsley),
Jamie Milligan, Phil Denney, Andy Bell (Steve Foster), Richie Allen (Alex
Taylor)
Worksop Town Team: Steve Hernandez,
Steve Nicholson (Steve Woolley), Kevin Davies, Steve Hawes ©, Scott Lowe, Anthony Jackson, Luke Staton, Steve Robinson, Andy White, Curtis Bernard (Steve
Owens), Andy Wright Not Used: Kyle Jorden
Officials: GT Stott (Referee), Steve
Mycock and John Wharton