Fleetwood Town began their preparations for the new season with a 3-1 victory over Southport in a training match at Poolfoot Farm on Tuesday afternoon.
Joey Barton took charge of his first match in charge of the Cod Army, and named two different team against the National League North side.
Goals from Conor McAleny, Craig Morgan and Joe Maguire saw Town claim a comfortable victory in tropical conditions ahead of Friday’s game at Salford City.
Donning the new Hummel home kit for the first time, Fleetwood went into the half time interval 2-1 up after controlling the game for most of the first half.
The lively McAleny had seen shots go just wide of the mark on two occasions whilst Jack Sowerby’s strike from 30 yards out cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and bounced out.
Southport rarely threatened in the first 45 minutes aside from a five minute spell in which they grabbed the opening goal of the game.
McAleny levelled soon after latching onto a clever ball from Kyle Dempsey, with the attacker then chipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
New signing Morgan pounced on a loose error from the visiting number one to cleverly volley home from Gerard Garner’s corner. A deserved lead at the break.
The start of the second half saw Barton’s second XI enter the pitch alongside a new Southport XI who opted to change their kit for the second half.
The highlight of the second half came 13 minutes from time as Maguire hit a sumptuous 25 yard free-kick into the top left-hand corner of the Southport goal following a foul on Wes Burns.
Throughout the second half, the game became more one-sided with Fleetwood retaining possession of the ball and Southport sitting back. Town pressured with Michael Donohue and Dan Mooney seeing shots saved by the Sandgrounders’ goalkeeper however it was to be just the one goal by Maguire to show for their efforts.
Town’s next pre-season game takes place on Friday 6th July as we head to the Peninsula Stadium to take on Salford City with a 7.30pm kick off. Fans are able to gain free entry to the game and coach travel is available at £10 per person departing from Highbury Stadium at 4.30pm.
For further details on the match, or to book official coach travel, call the ticket office on 01253 775080 or visit the club shop at Highbury Stadium.