Two Antoni Sarcevic goals the difference...
Fleetwood Town signed off their pre-season campaign with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win over La Liga side Getafe.Two Antoni Sarcevic penalties were the difference, either side of half time, as Town dominated their Spanish opponents for large periods.
Graham Alexander named Eggert Jonsson in the starting line-up for his Highbury debut after the defender recovered from a minor injury. Jamille Matt also started against the La Liga outfit, partnering Scottish striker Declan McManus.
Development forward Ashley Hunter was amongst the substitutes after recently returning from their pre-season tour out in Austria.
Fleetwood Town made a vibrant start in what was their final pre-season friendly before the League One season started against Southend United.
From their second corner of the game, Jimmy Ryan’s set piece is collected on the short by Bobby Grant, on his second Highbury bow. The former Shrewsbury Town man fired a strong left footed shot which took a slight deflection off Matt’s head to rattle the frame of the Getafe bar.
In the 11th minute, McManus broke through on goal as Town hit the Spaniards on the counter attack following a corner kick.
The striker burst in on Megyeri’s goal but could only hit the side netting after heavy pressure from Alberto.
Town’s hard work was soon rewarded in the 17th minute as they went ahead from the penalty spot. Matt, already proving to be a nuisance, was tripped in the box by Cala, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Captain for the night Sarcevic stepped up and guided the ball into the far left hand corner past the outstretched arm of Megyeri.
Alberto, an attack minded full back for the visitors, came within a whisker of bringing his side level on the half hour mark. Getting the better side of Amari’i Bell and Danny Andrew, Alberto burst into the penalty box only for his low strike to deflect wide off Stevie Jordan’s toe.
McManus thought he had his first goal in Town colours in the 36th minute but his quality header into the top corner was chalked off, after the linesman felt the striker was in an offside position.
The second half began with the same intensity from Fleetwood Town as Matt had a goal correctly ruled out for offside early on.
But with the second period barley five minutes old, the 25-year-old centre forward burst into the area to fire a low shot from an acute angle, the goalkeeper getting a hand to palm away for a corner.
Seven minutes later, the La Liga side looked for a leveller when the dangerous Campos curled an effort from the edge of the ‘D’ but Welsh shot stopper Maxwell claimed the ball with ease.
The game quickly became a midfield battle with Fleetwood the team mainly in ascendency. The bright spark of this 13 minute period was when Conor McLaughlin showed a delightful piece of skill by flicking the ball past Carlos Martin.
With 20 minutes to go, Alexander made three changes as Hunter, Vamara Sanogo and Lyle Della-Verde were introduced for McManus, Matt and Grant.
Getafe made a few alterations of their own, including the introduction of former Real Madrid man Pedro Leon.
And Leon’s impact was immediate as Getafe won a free-kick on the left hand side of the penalty box after Conor McLaughlin tripped Medran.
Leon sent a shot towards the top corner of Maxwell’s nearest post but the goalkeeper was on hand to collect without any real trouble.
Getafe’s best two chances wers saved until the end of the game. Emibuendia, a Spanish substitute, flicked the ball just wide of the far post after good work from the left wing.
The same man was at it again 60 seconds later but this time Maxwell thwarted him as he came rushing off his line.
However, Fleetwood Town got the last say as Sanogo was tripped by Getafe’s captain. Sarcevic stepped up and leading by example hammered the ball into the roof of the net in the 89th minute.
The Cod Army signed off their pre-season campaign with a well-deserved win as Southend United are next up!
Maxwell, McLaughlin, Andrew, Bell, Jordan, Jonsson (Sowerby 85), Sarcevic, Ryan, Matt (Hunter 70), McManus (Sanogo 70), Grant (Della Verde 70).
Subs: Haughton, Wright, Cartwright, Forbes, Arestidou.