Town dump holders out of competition
Next up for Fleetwood in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy was another team from League One, this time Crewe Alexandra.
With Town going well in the league confidence was high in the camp as they looked to claim their second scalp of the competition.
David Ball opened proceedings shortly before half time, latching onto Gareth Evans’ through ball before curling a wonderful shot past Steve Phillips.
Jon Parkin made it two just before the break to put Town in real control of the tie, nodding home from another Evans assist.
And within minutes of the referee restarting for the second half, Town legend Nathan Pond was on hand to make it three with a real strikers finish, bringing the ball down on his chest before firing into the net at the near post.
Despite a late onslaught by Crewe, Town stood firm and in the final minutes Matty Blair added his name to the score sheet prodding home a cross by Stewart Murdoch.
One of the scorers on that night was Nathan Pond and the defender, who is celebrating his testimonial year, is looking forward to another big occasion at Highbury.
“Yeah I’m very much looking forward to Chesterfield and the Area Final, it should be a good game, it was good last time but the chance to get to Wembley at this level doesn’t come across every day so it’s a very important game.
“That was my first goal of the season, one of my better goals really; it was good to get off the mark against a League one side as well”.
The game also proved a special night for Pond’s centre back partner and club captain Mark Roberts.
The centre back who signed from Stevenage in the summer started off at Crewe and holds the club in high regards.
“That was a memorable day (beating Crewe). Crewe are more than a former club to me, it’s a club I grew up at and spent a good portion of my life at, probably about 10 years, they gave me my professional debut, and it meant a lot to go and beat them.”
Roberts has had plenty of experience in cup semi finals, wining the FA trophy and taking part in the League One play offs with his former club Stevenage.
“It’s an experience I’m used to and I’m sure a lot of the lads are as well, we will know that nothing is decided on Tuesday night and we will have to be at our best for 180 minutes.”
“It’s a big occasion for the football club and everyone involved. It’s an opportunity to play at Wembley and those opportunities don’t come around very often so we want to grab it with both hands”
The fact that we’ve already beaten League One sides shows the level of quality that we’ve got in the squad, although this tie is against Chesterfield it’s a top of the table clash in league 2 and it’s going to be another tough test.”
Match report
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