Town U18 out at hands of Wrexham
8th September, 2009

Fleetwood Town U18 1-2 Wrexham U18
FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.On
Monday 7th September 2009
Attendance 214

This FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round tie was only the second competitive match this season for the Fleetwood Town Under 18’s.  Only five of last year’s under 18 squad, who lost out to Oldham Athletic in the First Round Proper last term, lined-up in Monday’s squad.

Back l to r Mike Booth, Conor McGough, Chris Vivian, Josh Few, Scott Thompson, Nathan Thompson, Jack Duggan, Henry Ogden
Front Greg Timbrell, Grant Dell, Adam Sumner, Liam Wynner, Andy Bartholomew, Ryan Tanser, Joe Camozzi, Shaun Moulding

The remainder were made-up from first year players on the development programme, which the club run in partnership with Blackpool & The Fylde College. Tasting FA Youth Cup football wasn’t the only first for the scholars on Monday – it was also their opening day at college.

Wrexham came to Highbury as last season’s champions in the Puma Youth Alliance - a league where they were up against the likes of Blackpool, Wigan Athletic and Preston North End Under 18’s.

Fleetwood made the most of an early break after centre-half Jack Duggan headed clear a Wrexham cross. Ryan Tanser broke with the ball but blasted his shot at keeper Thomas Bainbridge.

The home defence were then tested but right-back Joe Camozzi produced neat football with Greg Trimbell and Chris Vivian to play the ball out of danger.  Duggan was again on hand to partner veteran skipper Adam Sumner, the pair clearing a Wrexham threat on the left.   

Town came unstuck on 9 minutes when Brian Summerskill provided an inch-perfect cross-field pass to Loius Moss.  The Wrexham man then beat two Town defenders to cross to allow Aaron Walton to drill home with a good finish.

Nathan Thompson pulled off the first of a string of fine saves for Town a few minutes later when he safely held a 30 yards free-kick.

Sumner followed-up when he put out for a throw deep in his own half under pressure from Wrexham front-man Jordan Kane. The resulting throw found Moss with enough space at the far post but he could only punt over the bar.

The Fleetwood equaliser came on 21 minutes after a superb piece of vision from midfielder Josh Few. A home attack was despatched and the ball came to Few just inside the Wrexham half. He spotted Bainbridge off his line a put his name on the score sheet when he launched Beckham-style at goal.

Duggan, left and scorer Few (compliments Wrexham FC)

The home side rallied at this point with Duggan winning a corner just after the half-hour mark with stubborn persistence in the away box. Camozzi showed a good turn of pace going forward but always managed to be in right-back slot when needed.

The north Wales club regained the lead just before the break when Leon Crowes stuck out his toe at the far post following a deep cross and poked over the line.

Thompson denied the visitors a third goal 5 minutes after the restart, producing a diving save at the bottom left corner of his post.  The keeper then dashed off his line to deal with a quick Wrexham break, racing out 30 yards and he did enough to deny striker Nick Rushton a chance. The front-man was denied a second opportunity, this time by the hard-working Andy Bartholomew who cleared from the Wrexham man’s path on the six yard line.

A double substitution took place on the hour when Tanser and Liam Wynn were replaced by Mike Booth and Shuan Moulding.

Town were forced into a third substitution 4 minutes later when forward Scott Thompson received lengthy treatment and was replaced by Henry Ogden, who scored for the reserves last week. Thompson was floored after a collision with keeper Bainbridge going for a 50/50 ball.  

Fleetwood continued to search for a way back into the game but Wrexham used their experience to move into the next round despite a late flurry from the hosts. Both teams produced a good advertisement for football at this level in front of 218 Highbury spectators.  

Fleetwood Town
Nathan Thompson
Joe Camozzi
Adam Sumner
Jack Duggan
Andy Bartholomew
Josh Few
Greg Timbrell
Chris Vivian
Scott Thompson (Ogden)
Ryan Tanser (Booth)
Liam Wynne (Moulding)

Subs
Michael Booth
Shaun Molding
Grant Dell
Conor McGough
Henry Ogden