FLEETWOOD, Lancs,  January, 2009

Fleetwood Town U12's 1-0 Thornton- Cleveleys U12's

Hogan Cup 1st Round

Sunday 25th January 2009

Fleetwood Town officials saved the day by kindly agreeing to allow this Hogan Cup game to be played on the hallowed turf at Highbury Stadium. The Thornton pitch being waterlogged.

Back row left to right: Matthew Chadwick, Matthew Wright, Reece Young, Ben Reader, James Lydon, Sam Jenson, Kieran Anderson, Steve Hogan, Josh Morrisey. Front row left to right: Lewis Witter, Danny Haynes, Oliver Roe, Callum Ellis, Charlie Bradford, Jordan Anderton

Considering Fleetwood gave Thornton a 9-0 thumping in the league at the start of the season this game proved to be more of a contest, Thornton-Cleveleys competing right up to the final whistle. As both side got to grips with the acres of space at Highbury, the opening ten minutes proved to be fairly even. Fleetwood eventually imposed themselves and took a grip of the game, creating the better chances. The Thornton-Cleveleys defence performed well to maintain the status quo with the game evenly balanced and goal-less going into the interval.

The Town manager, Peter Reader, made changes at half time bringing on keeper Sam Jenson in place of Lewis Witter and Kieran Anderson replaced Josh Morrisey at left back. Fleetwood came close to breaking the deadlock from a corner early in the second half  which resulted in a goalmouth melee. The Thornton keeper did well to smother the threat and took a knock in the process requiring treatment. The breakthrough eventually came from a superb diagonal pass from Ben Reader, played behind the back four and into the path of Callum Ellis. He despatched what proved to be the winner from the edge of the box giving the keeper no chance. A well taken goal and on the balance of play a deserved lead for Fleetwood Town. Thornton never gave up and their best effort came from a Connah Hadgraft free-kick on the edge of the box. His strike around the wall looked to be heading into the back of the net when Sam Jenson somehow got across to his left hand post to tip the ball out for a corner. Fleetwood made late substitutions as man of the match Oliver Roe was replaced by Matthew Wright and Charlie Bradford made way for Jordan Anderton. The Town defence held solid for a clean sheet, Matthew Wright putting in some important clearances when Thornton threatened to draw level. Fleetwood finished the game with a flourish of attacks before the referee signalled the end of the match.

A hard fought game by both sides. Thornton-Cleveleys dug deep and proved to be tougher opposition in comparison to the last time the two sides met. However Fleetwood deserved this victory and will now travel to play Lytham in the next round of the Hogan Cup. It was a special day for the youngsters of both sides who relished the opportunity to shine at Highbury Stadium. A special thanks for the community spirit shown by the officials at Fleetwood Town.

Fleetwood Town: Witter, Morrisey, Roe, Young, Hogan, Haynes, Reader, Lydon, Chadwick, Bradford, Ellis Subs: Wright, Anderton, Anderson, Jenson

Callum Ellis scores the winner against Thornton.