Alex Reid has spoken of his delight as he scored his first professional goal for Fleetwood Town in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Chesterfield in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Reid’s strike, coupled with Jack Sowerby’s first half goal, was enough to beat the League Two side and put Town into the next round of the competition, and the striker says he was happy to take his chance given to him by head coach Uwe Rosler.
“I’m delighted for the lads and we’re through to the next round,” said Reid.
“I’m thankful to get my opportunity and happy to get on the score sheet.
“I was given a chance tonight and I’m over the moon I’ve managed to get my goal in my first appearance for the first team.”
Reid’s goal came in the last ten minutes of a game that Fleetwood dominated, in a game that saw Chesterfield centre back Lawrence Maguire play in goal when regular stopper Joe Anyon picked up an injury with all three substitutes made.
“Ash [Hunter] got on the ball and he worked his magic, as he does. He fed me the ball, and thankfully I put it away, even if it did end up being a centre back in goal.”
The win saw Town extend their unbeaten home run to seven games in all competitions, and Reid has praised the Cod Army’s defensive players for their work in their third clean sheet in four games at Highbury.
“The lads in defence were brilliant again,” stated Reid.
“I’m delighted for them again to keep another clean. Overall we’re just really happy with the win against a strong Chesterfield side.”
Tuesday’s game saw Uwe Rosler make changes to his team, as development squad players were integrated with regular first teamers. The changes allowed players on the fringes of the first team some important minutes, and the striker has echoed the important of this.
“It’s massively important [to have a mix of first team and development squad players in a team].
“It’s our chance for some of the younger lads to come in and show the manager what we can do and impress.
“It’s the closest we’re going to get to competitive football to show him that it’s the level we want to be playing at. It’s great for us.”
Reid returned to Fleetwood after a short loan spell with National League side Wrexham, and he says that the move helped him to develop as a player, and Reid hopes that his experience can provide a platform for more minutes for the Cod Army.
“It was a great experience at a massive club. There was 5 or 6,000 there every week so playing in front of big crowds with big men was a learning curve. I’ve come from non-league myself, with Rushall, so to come here and play against big sides really means something."