Formby Reserves 2 Fleetwood Town Reserves 3
Lancit Haulage Lancashire League
6^th September 2007
Goals: FTFC – Joel Cowell 2, Mickey Saunders

Fleetwood returned to winning ways with a gutsy performance against a feisty Formby side. Four changes were made to the starting eleven from the previous game and it seemed to have paid off spectacularly with a goal after just 22 seconds! Dax Hoogerwerf played a superb pass to Mickey Saunders and the front man finished with his usual style. Town’s lead, however, lasted only six minutes when poor marking allowed the Formby forward time and space  on the edge of the box to pick his spot in the far corner of the net . Fleetwood’s response was almost immediate with Chris Watkinson rounding the keeper but failing to find the net. Town were now in full flow and both Joel Cowell and Mickey Saunders squandered good opportunities. The visitors regained the lead following a free kick awarded for the keeper picking up the ball following a back pass. Michael Tallentire crashed the ball through the wall and Joel Cowell, standing in what looked like an offside position, managed to direct the ball past the keeper from close range. Cowell’s goal seemed to give him confidence and he went close again before scoring his second, and Town’s third, with five minutes of the half remaining. Put through by Hoogerwerf, he curled the ball around the keeper to score in off the post. Jamie Wright then had the chance to put the game out of Formby’s reach when Cowell set him up ten yards out. Wright connected too well though and his effort clipped the bar on its way out of the ground!

The second period started with Fleetwood dominating proceedings and numerous chances were created, but not taken. The woodwork was hit a couple of times, most spectacularly by Hoogerwerf with a forty yard volley that bounced on the line and away. Mike Hale in the Town goal was never really called into action, but had to be on his toes for the odd break away. One such break away gave Formby their opening back into the game. As Rik Bryan and Christian Dust converged on a Formby player he crumpled to the ground and a somewhat fortuitous penalty was awarded. The kick was promptly put away and suddenly Fleetwood were on the back foot. However,as hard as they tried, Formby got little change out of Town’s back four and in the end resorted to petty fouls and play acting as the clock ticked down. Fleetwood still had time to miss another couple of chances, Paul Bailey and Anthony Warwick going close, but were happy to hear the Referee’s whistle as Formby had one last effort on their goal.

Fleetwood deserved the win and showed the character sadly lacking last week. If they had finished the chances created they would of won comfortably instead of hanging on against a side they should really have put out of sight before half time. The win keeps them in the top three of the League and, with the new players doing well, competition for places is high.

Team: Hale, Mottram, Dust, Tallentire, Bryan, Hoogerwerf, Cowell, Wright, Warwick, Watkinson, Saunders. Subs: Webster for Wright on 60 mins, Bailey for Watkinson on 60 mins, and Matthews for Tallentire on 65 mins.