Fleetwood Town’s Development Squad lose 3-2 in a five goal thriller on Tuesday night at Evo-Stik Division One side Ramsbottom United, in their third pre-season friendly.
A first half goal from Ged Garner and and late goal from Sam O'Halleron was not enough to give Town their first win in pre-season, as goals from a trialist, Dom Marie and Ryan Ellison give Ramsbottom the win at The Harry Williams Stadium.
Harrison Holgate, Lewis Baines and Garner started for the Cod Army, alongside a number of under 18s players, with all looking to impress at the Evo-Stik Division One side, and it will be a game they learn a lot from going forward.
However it was the home side who started off sharply with two attacks in the first two minutes. Ramsbottom’s midfielder Luke Jordan found a pocket of space outside the 18-yard box, however his powerful effort went narrowly wide of goal.
Makepiece went close for Town after a lovely pass over the top by Garner. The striker held off the defender at first, however the centre-half did well to recover and get goal side to clear the ball from danger.
The away side dominated the ball in the first quarter of the match and knocked the ball around well in the final third. It was just that final pass that was missing from the team in yellow.
Halfway into the first half, Garner delivered a peach of a cross from the corner spot. His cross was met by Hill, whose powerful header troubled Ashton in the Ramsbottom goal. Great chance for Town to take the lead.
Garner gave his side the lead just moments before the half-time break. The midfielder worked the ball well onto his favoured left foot, pulled the trigger and there was only one place where his shot was going. Just what Town deserved for their play in the opening 45 minutes.
Stephen Crainey’s young side started the second half as they finished the first and looked to get that second goal. They kept the ball well and made the blue shirt of Ramsbottom chase them around the pitch.
After a mistake just outside the area, the home side looked to the capitalise on the error, and it was the substitute Marie who went to chip the Town goalkeeper, but he saw it all the way to collect.
Both teams made changes and this seem to upset the rhythm of Town and with Ramsbottom looking to get an equaliser, they went really close from captain Ellison, who saw his header tipped over the bar.
The home side got their equaliser bang on 70 minutes after a mistake just outside Fleetwood’ 18-yard box. The trialist for Ramsbottom picked up the loose ball, drove into the box and fired low into the bottom corner.
They pushed for another one and went very close from Marie. The striker’s quick feet was too much for Hill, and after pulling the ball onto his left foot, his shot across goal could only find the post. Let off for Town.
Ramsbottom scored two late goals through Marie and Ellison to give them a 3-1 lead in the final minute of the match, with O’Halleron grabbing one just before the final whistle to make it a nervy minute for the home side.
A fantastic game for the neutrals. We wish everybody at Ramsbottom United all the best for the upcoming season.
Ramsbottom XI: Ashton (GK) (Trialist 46’), Trialist (Henry 46’), Trialist , Thompson, Ellison, Jordan, Trialist, Trialist (Marie 46’), Wright, Dean.
Subs not used: Brooks, Foulds,
Fleetwood XI: Trailist (GK) (Clayton 46'), Holgate, Rydel, Boyle (Goldsbrough 82’), Hill (Steer 78’), Baines, Johnstone, Metete, Makepiece (O’Halleron 75’), Garner, Morris (Mashigo 64’).
Subs not used: Cook