Fleetwood Town Reserves 2 Salford City Reserves 2
Lancit Haulage Lancashire League
17th August 2007
Goals: FTFC – Dax Hoogerwerf, Anthony Warwick

Fleetwood finally got their season up and running in what turned out to be a comfortable win against a decent Salford City side. The visitors were mainly made up of youngsters who, last season, had won the North West U18 Youth Alliance.

The home side started brightly, but lost their way somewhat as the first half progressed. Too many long balls resulted in the game being too stretched and Fleetwood struggled to get any passing moves together. Mike Hale in the Town goal was rarely tested in the home goal and played the part of sweeper more than a goalkeeper, clearing up on several occasions outside his area.

The second period was much better as Town upped the tempo to put the Salford goal under constant pressure. The opening goal was a fine passing movement involving Adam Crossley.and Kyle Webster, and finished off clinically by Dax Hoogerwerf. Fleetwood should have scored the second almost from the kick off when Mark Davis played a defence splitting pass into the path of Anthony Warwick. The winger, though, could only blast the chance against the legs of the Salford keeper. Warwick didn’t have long to wait long to make amends for his miss, however as another good move found Chris Watkinson on the right wing. His cross was superbly dummied by Webster and Warwick finished with some style from the edge of the box.

The second half was a clear improvement on the first and that is the standard Town will need to match if, as expected, they challenge for the title.

Men of the Match: Bryan, Tallentire, Hoogerwerf, Watkinson.

FTFC Squad: Mike Hale, Danny Eden [Christian Dust 80mins], Ryan Croft, Rik Bryan, Mike Tallentire, Kyle Webster [Jamie Wright 75mins], Dax Hoogerwef, Mark Davis, Chris Watkinson, Adam Crossley [Joel Cowell 70mins], Anthony Warwick

Referee: Nick Croft