Wigan put three past the Young Cod Army
Fleetwood Town’s youth team succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at home to Wigan Athletic in the North West Youth Alliance League at Lytham on Saturday.A penalty from Louis Robles, which was added to by Sam Cosgrove’s effort towards the end of the half, put Latics two to the good at the break before Cosgrove completed his brace ten minutes after the interval.
Goalkeeper Max Johnstone retained his place in goal, while manager Craig Madden opted for a front-three of Jordan Hancox, Louis Myers, and Tyrell McKenzie.
It would be Wigan who would carve out the first chance, when midfielder Alex Lingard cut inside his man, and drilled the ball narrowly wide of the post.
Striker Cosgrove then had a half-chance for Wigan, but failed to properly connect with his effort, with the ball ultimately being cleared away by skipper Andy Smith.
Fleetwood forward McKenzie would later give the Latics’ defence a scare, as he flashed his free-kick across the face of goal.
Chris Merrie then tried his luck from a free-kick for Athletic, though he saw his 25-yarder drop narrowly wide of Johnstone’s post.
With 35 minutes on the clock, the visitors were awarded a penalty-kick after Cosgrove had been hacked down in the area.
Up-stepped Robles, who confidently dispatched his right-footed penalty beyond the dive of Johnstone.
Fleetwood looked to get back into the game, though both Myers and McKenzie could only muster up half-chances for the young Cod Army.
It would be Wigan who would have the final say of the opening half, as they created chances through Robles and Cosgrove, who both saw fierce efforts parried away.
The Latics would add a second to their name shortly before half-time, with Cosgrove profiting from a flick-on to rifle the ball home from the edge of the box.
As the second-half commenced, Town put pressure on the Latics, but Myers and Co were unable to beat a resilient Wigan back-line.
The influential Cosgrove later blazed over the crossbar from Lingard’s cross, though he would not be denied a second-goal after 55 minutes.
He was played through in behind the defence, before coolly rounding Johnstone and simply tapping the ball into an empty net.
Young Cod Army striker Mamadou Djabi was introduced to the fray with the game entering it’s final furlong, as Fleetwood went in search of a consolation.
Djabi himself could have been considered unfortunate not to get on the score sheet, but an opportunity went begging for him.