Two goals from striker Sam O’Halleron earned Fleetwood’s under 18s a well-deserved victory against Bury at Poolfoot Farm.
Fleetwood’s youngsters started the brighter and were rewarded just past the half hour mark. Good work by left-back Ryan Rydel set up O’Halleron inside the penalty area, who struck the ball perfectly inside the near post.
Billy Crellin was called into action down at the other end of the field a few minutes later as he produced a brilliant diving save to deny Jack Hutton from a tight angle.
Town almost capitalised on this and almost doubled their lead just after the break. Rydel ran down the wing, after taking on his man, whipped the ball into the box but Jamie Cooke couldn’t control his shot from 12-yards.
Substitute Kai Steer curled just over after scramble from a Fleetwood corner and O’Halleron again went close for Fleetwood before Bury got an equaliser against the run of play, with just over 20 minutes to go.
After pulling off a fine point-blank save to deny substitute Edward Jones, goalkeeper Crellin was eventually beaten from close range by Cameron Hill.
Despite the setback, Fleetwood rallied and Jay Matete almost put his side back in front. After breaking through the opposition midfield, the midfielder’s effort from range just flew wide of the target.
Fleetwood did find a winner seven minutes from time. Another strong run from Rydel ended with a good effort from 20-yards which was parried by Bury keeper Callum Erskine, but O’Halleron was on hand to follow in to put Town in back in front.
Bury pushed for another equaliser but Fleetwood held firm to beat the league leaders.
Fleetwood – 1. Billy Crellin (GK) 2. Dominic Kerrigan 3. Ryan Rydel 4. Katlego Mashigo 5. James Hill 6. Alkeo Bani 7. Shayden Morris 8. Jay Matete 9. Sam O’Halleron 10. Jamie Cooke 11. Greg McCaragher
Subs – 12. Liam Goldsbrough 14. Kai Steer 21. Harry Turner
Bury – 1. Callum Erskine 2. Douglas Nyaupembe 3. Jack Hatton 4. Bobby Copping 5. Morgan Sadler 6. Saul Shotton 7. Joe Adams 8. Cameron Hill 9. Robert Harker 10. Callum Hulme 11. Wealth Dasilva
Subs- 12. Alen Moisin 14. Edward Jones 15. Cedric Ondoa 16. Sam Sharrock-Peplow 31. Mark Williams