Nathan Pond returned to action on Saturday against Exeter City after being kept out for seven games due to injury, and he admitted it is good to be back playing as he helped Town keep a clean sheet ag
By Mike McGoughNathan Pond returned to action on Saturday against Exeter City after being kept out for seven games due to injury, and he admitted it is good to be back playing as he helped Town keep a clean sheet against a visiting side with the best away record in the league.
Long serving Pond came in fresh from signing a new two-year deal at the club and it was an impressive return for the centre back after a frustrating set back.
He said: "I'm delighted to get things sorted out for the future and more importantly I am glad to be back in the starting 11 after an injury.
"I have been out for five weeks now, so it is my first game I've played since my injury and I think I did okay. My first half was better than the second but other than that I thought I did well.
"I think I've done enough today to keep a place and a clean sheet today will always help my cause but it is entirely up to the gaffer. We have a lot of games coming up – Saturday-Tuesday and Saturday-Tuesday so I will leave that up to the gaffer."
Fleetwood managed to hold off their Devon opponents, who have won 12 matches on the road this season, and Pond said it was a good point after a late goal against Wycombe sank the hearts of the Cod Army last weekend.
He continued: "It is a bonus. We have conceded a few late goals and last week I thought we defended well first half, but a bit shabby in the second half and there could have been a late goal today but Scotty Davies made a great save late on; other than that I thought we defended well.
"They have got a good away record, one of the best in the league so it wasn't easy today. They played some good football at times and they put it in behind us as well and kept us guessing all the way through, so it was a good performance by them as well; overall it was a good game."
Accrington Stanley are next up for Town as they prepare for a local derby on Tuesday night, and Fleetwood will be looking to get their play-off quest back on track after a run of five games without a win.
"We've got three games coming up now against lower teams, but they will be just as hard because they will be fighting for their lives, so I am just looking forward to Tuesday now.
"The next few games are winnable on paper. With a bit more luck today we could have won but we'll be going to Accrington looking for the victory."
