Fleetwood Town are through to the Third Round of The Emirates FA Cup, after beating Guiseley 2-1 on Monday night.
Paddy Madden opened the scoring after 28 minutes after converting Conor McAleny’s low cross. Town were able to get a second through a freak goal as Wes Burns deflected Joe Green’s clearance into the back of the net.
The hosts were able to pull one back in the 33rd minute but Alex Purver’s goal wasn’t enough for The Lions to progress into the next round or even force a replay. Fleetwood held on to round off a professional display.
The first action of the game fell to Guiseley’s Will Hatfield, in the 14th minute, who was able to get a shot away after Kaine Felix’s low cross picked him out, but the chance came to nothing after a crucial block from Town’s defence.
Guiseley continued their impressive start, a minute later, when Kingsley James was able to test Alex Cairns with a powerful strike from outside the area, but the shot was parried away – well kept out by the in-form stopper.
The Cod Army’s defence were given no rest as they had to get in the way of Purver’s shot, after some decent build up play, just after 20 minutes.
Fleetwood Town were able to capitalise from their first clear-cut chance, in the 28th minute. McAleny whipped in an awkward cross which bounced towards the back post finding Madden, who was able to compose himself before slotting the ball under Green.
Just three minutes later and Town got their second of the game, after a poor pass back from Jo Cummings was closed down immediately by Burns, who was able to deflect Green’s clearance into the net to make it 2-0.
The Lions got straight back into the game with a similar scenario, in the 33rd minute. Cairns’ clearance was weak after he was closed down by Rowan Liburd and Purver was able to pounce on the loose ball, hitting it first time over the Cod Army keeper and into the net.
The home side tried their luck to equalise after Liburd showed some great strength before cutting in from the left and getting a shot away but Cairns was able to get down low and smother it into his chest.
The hosts were first to threaten in the second half after 67 minutes but Purver was unable to control Liburd’s chipped through ball.
Only a minute later and Fleetwood had another opportunity thank to some brilliant individual play from Burns who took two Guiseley defenders out of the game before spreading it wide to Evans, but his shot was high and wide.
Town continued to threat after Dean Marney found James Husband from a corner, but the left back couldn’t keep his shot on target, in the 72nd minute.
Just four minutes later, and Fleetwood had two chances on the bounce to get their third of the night but Evans’ initial shot was saved by Green and Madden’s follow up rattled the bar. A great chance to seal the game.
Guiseley almost found an equaliser in the 84th minute but Husband threw his body in front of James’ shot to deny what was almost a certain goal.
The home side pushed for an equaliser one last time after a goalmouth scramble ended in a scuffed shot that was eventually gathered by Cairns.
The full-time whistle blew, with Joey Barton’s side through to face AFC Wimbledon, with the tie set to take place in the first week of 2019.