Amadi-Holloway, Charles and Deacon fire Development Squad to victory
Aaron Amadi-Holloway marked his return to action with a stunning 30 yard volley as Fleetwood Town’s Development Squad beat Port Vale 3-1 at Poolfoot Farm.
Town had to come from behind against Vale, but two second half goals courtesy of Dion Charles and Keano Deacon more than cancelled out Dan Turner’s opener.
A frontline trio of Alex Jakubiak, Deacon and the returning Amadi-Holloway were named to start in attack. The latter making his first appearance in a Fleetwood shirt since a substitute appearance for the first away to Bolton in August.
It was former Oldham and Wycombe striker who had the first real chance of the game after eight minutes. Jakubiak’s pull back was met by Trialist, whose shot was directed onto the post by Amadi-Holloway with the Port Vale ‘keeper well beaten.
Soon after Jakubiak tried his luck from just outside the box but the on-loan Watford striker just pulled his shot wide of the post.
In a first half where the hosts dominated at Poolfoot Farm, Oli Roberts should have done better when the Vale ‘keeper scuffed his clearance straight to him. Roberts collected the ball from 25 yards before firing a low drive just past the right-hand post.
Then against the run of play, Port Vale opened the scoring. A loose pass from goalkeeper Billy Crellin allowed Dan Turner to intercept and he subsequently slotted the ball past the diving Town number one.
It took until seven minutes before the break for Fleetwood to hit back, and they did in some style. Amadi-Halloway marked his return with a stunning instinctive strike from all of 30 yards, giving Joe Slinn no chance in the Port Vale goal.
Town searched for another before the break but Roberts’ strike was well kept out by Slinn after a scramble on the edge of the box.
Fleetwood came out of the blocks flying and should have been ahead in the opening stages of the second half. Jakubiak did brilliantly to nutmeg Billy Reeves but his shot was saved at the near post by Slinn when Amadi-Holloway and Deacon were awaiting a pull back into the empty net.
Town did take the lead just after the hour mark. Amadi-Holloway was withdrawn and his replacement Dion Charles made an instant impact. The Northern Ireland under-21 international cut in from the left and fired a right-footed shot at the near post which had too much pace for Slinn.
With Town in complete control they added a third. Neat interplay from Kieran Wallace and Charles allowed Deacon to get his name on the scoresheet with a composed finish.
FTFC: Crellin (GK), Trialist, Trialist, Sheron, Wallace, Trialist, Glendon, Roberts, Jakubiak, Deacon, Amadi-Holloway. Subs: Turner (GK), Myers, Dunbar, Charles, Haughton.