FLEETWOOD, Lancs, 26 February, 2009

Fleetwood Town 1 v Southport 3
Monday 23rd February 2009
Collins Park
By Mark Bowley (Under 18’s Assistant Manager)

Fleetwood Town under 18’s went into this fixture with six regular squad members out because of injuries and against a high riding Southport.  This necessitated manager Mick Sumner calling up three members of the under 16’s into the squad.

The opening ten minutes saw Fleetwood Town create two excellent goal scoring opportunities but the outstanding Southport keeper prevented on both chances. Mark France and Joe Newson were on top of the game, making intelligent runs and causing Southport’s defence problems. Unfortunately, a late challenge on 15 minutes left France with a foot injury and he was unable to continue. 

The departure of France meant a reshuffle in Town’s formation. This appeared to unsettle some of the players and the free flowing passing game disappeared. Even so, Fleetwood remained in contention and Southport’s attack never really troubled the defence until probably the best move of the match left Fleetwood’s defence flat footed and Southport went ahead and kept their lead into the break.

The second half began with neither team really controlling the game but Fleetwood looking much the more likely to score.  Man of the Match Mark Wilkinson (pic), went on a mazy run and hit a superb shot.  It left the Southport keeper stranded but the ball hit the inside of the post and rebound harmlessly away. A move straight off the training ground then saw Matt Woods header hit the cross bar.

Southport doubled their lead against the run of play but this only pushed Fleetwood’s youngsters forward. The hard working Joe Newson eventually won a penalty and dispatched it superbly for Town. The last fifteen minutes of the game was all Fleetwood who looked good value for an equaliser.  But Southport finished off the game with a brilliant solo goal in the closing minutes.

Fleetwood’s management team were pleased with the effort the players gave however lessons have to be learnt and the team need to be more clinical in front of goal.

A positive team Manager Mick Sumner said after the game “I am delighted with the contribution the three under16’s made during the game. We are about developing young players and we are always looking to include quality to this squad whenever possible. Most of our players are still a year younger than Southport’s but you wouldn’t have known. It took us some time to adjust after the injury to Mark France but that’s something we can work on.”