Fleetwood Town Reserves 1 Kendal Town Reserves 6
Lancit Haulage Lancashire League
31st August 2007
Goals: FTFC – Mike Tallentire

In what was their 59th League and Cup game in the Lancashire League, Fleetwood turned in a performance that can only be described as embarrassing. Town were awful. The season had started well and hopes were high going into the encounter but, whether it was complacency or arrogance, they came a cropper against a very good Kendal side. The visitors passed the ball better and had an urgency about their game sadly lacking from Fleetwood.

Three changes from the previous game saw Mickey Saunders, Warren Beattie and Danny Mottram come into the side. Chris Watkinson was injured so it meant Dax Hoogerwerf joining Saunders up front.

The home side took the lead on 13 minutes when a Beattie free kick found Michael Tallentire unmarked at the back post and he finished with ease. Town looked like they had gained the upper hand and had a couple of chances to go two up but their lack of potency in front of goal once again returned to haunt them. Kendal equalised on 22 minutes when following a corner the ball was sent back through a host of players past the unsighted Mike Hale. Kendal took the lead almost straight from the kick off following a very bad call from the linesman. The same lines man was involved in Kendal’s third when he kept his flag down when there was a suspicion of off side.

Town started the second half the better of the two sides and if they had clawed one back the game was, one felt, their’s for the taking. However, Ryan Croft decided to produce his normal party trick on the edge of his own box and was easily dispossessed. Once again Hale had no chance in goal. The game still had 20 minutes to go but was effectively over as a contest and you got the impression Kendal could score at will. Kendal completed the rout with two goals on the last 10 minutes to emphasise their complete dominance.

There is little doubt Fleetwood have some talented youngsters but, until they accept that they must couple their skill with hard work, they will never progress. These players will be given another chance to show that they are capable of learning. However, they must understand they are drinking in the ‘Last Chance Saloon’!

Town’s next game is this coming Thursday away to newcomers Formby, who have started the season well, and another tough encounter is expected. The jury is out on the future of several players after this debacle so good performances  will be required!

Team: Hale, Mottram, Croft, Dust, Tallentire, Webster, Davis, Beattie, Hoogerwerf, Saunders and Warwick.Substitutes: Cowell for Saunders 60 mins, Buschini for Mottram 55 mins and Wright for Beattie 60mins.