Fleetwood Town youth suffered their third straight defeat in as many matches after giving away two soft goals against Walsall.
By Sam GillilandFleetwood Town youth suffered their third straight defeat in as many matches after giving away two soft goals against Walsall.
Saddlers’ striker’s Amadou Bakayoko and Danny Griffiths scored the simplest of tap in’s for the home side after the break, despite Town’s superior first-half performance.
Academy manager Steve Carlin brought in Abdul Rajab for winger Keano Deacon going into the contest, in one of three changes which also saw the return of goalkeeper Oliver Martin, and Greg Drummond in for Liam Fitzsimmons.
And it was the young Cod Army that created the game’s first opening, as Richard Wright tested Walsall goalkeeper Richard Jones from long range.
Saddlers’ striker Griffiths then cut in onto his left foot minutes later from the right, and fizzed a low strike past Martin’s far post.
Tom Peterson took the next attempt to break the deadlock after turning inside from the left, but the Town striker saw his right-foot effort tipped around Jones’ near post.
Jones was proving to be in outstanding form, as he later got hands to a strike by Rajab before half-time, and his side then went on to improve after the interval.
With 48 minutes played, Bakayoko converted into an empty Fleetwood net to put the home side in front, after Griffiths had drawn an outstanding save by the brave Martin.
And in the 55th minute, Walsall tapped in once again, as Griffiths pounced first on another save by Martin from midfielder Reece Flanagan.
Fleetwood could not find a goal themselves, and were fortunate not to concede a third after the hour mark, as Griffiths’ dipping effort came back off crossbar.
Despite late pressure, Town were unable to find any consolation, and were left with their third straight defeat since the trip’s to Carlisle.
