Fleetwood Town’s Under 18s suffered a 3-0 defeat against Bury on Saturday in the North West Youth Alliance League.
Simon Wiles’ side went into the match without a win in five matches, and were reduced to ten men late on against The Shakers, with Barry Crowe picking up two yellow cards.
Bury missed a penalty in the first half when Joe Adams hit the ball over the bar, but defender Sam Allardyce headed in to make it 1-0 to the home side just before half time.
Adams had a string of chances for Bury, and he double their lead in second half with a tap in from close range. Aaron Brown also slotted home from the penalty spot late in the game to seal the win for Bury.
Despite a poor run of form, the Cod Army youngsters started the game well, and caused the hosts problems early on.
Dylan Boyle, Katlego Mashigo and Jay Matete matched up to Bury in the middle of the park, and it was Matete that came closest to scoring in the 15th minute. Boyle played the ball forward to Matete, who turned and fired a stunning strike towards goal from the edge of the box, but it crashed back off the underside of the bar.
Midfielder Callum Hulme was an early threat for Bury, his in-swinging delivery found Femi Seriki in the box, and his header went well wide.
Crowe then received his first yellow card after losing the ball just in the opposition half, and, in a deliberate attempt to stop the counter-attack, took down his man.
Town then conceded the first of two penalties when Adams dispossessed Matete, then the Bury winger sprinted forward and was brought down by Hill in the area. Adams stepped up to take the spot kick, but it was blazed well over the bar.
Just minutes later, Bury’s main man Adams had a chance to redeem himself when he produced a stunning solo run. He took on three Town defenders, and with just the keeper to beat, he placed an effort towards the corner but it came back off the post.
Sam O’Halleron worked hard against a strong Bury defence, and he came close to levelling the scores for Town when he controlled the ball in the box and turned Allardyce, but his low shot was saved at the near corner by Bury goalkeeper Jacob Carney.
Just two minutes before half time, Bury took the lead. Full back Aaron Skinner played in the overlapping Charlie Mulgrew, he got past his man and crossed the ball in, with defender Allardyce powering a header in past Town keeper Scott Pengelly to make it 1-0.
Shayden Morris came on at half time for Town as they searched for an equaliser, but it was Bury who continued to press forward.
Liam Goldsborough and Carl Johnston put in solid displays for Town when up against formidable opposition in the wide areas. Adams and Seriki proved to be a constant threat for Bury, with Skinner also providing good support.
Bury pressed for the second goal as Hulme and Adams were denied in quick succession, and it was Adams who finally got a deserved goal. The Bury winger capped off a fine performance by finishing from close range after Skinner burst into the box and pulled the ball back.
Town went down to 10 men when Crowe took down his man, and the referee showed him red. Kian Makepeace came on for defender Kai Steer as Town looked to steady the ship, but they were up against quality opposition. Matete tried to create as usual for the Cod Army, but it just wasn't to be their day.
Hulme developed a strong partnership with Mulgrew in midfield, and he almost got Bury’s third when his 30-yard strike bounced back off the post.
Bury then capped off a fine performance when they were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute. Hulme was brought down in the box, and striker Aaron Brown made no mistake in finding the net as the home side went three goals to the good.
Town were beat by the better team on the day, and they'll be looking to bounce back next weekend when they face Wrexham at Poolfoot Farm.
Fleetwood: Pengelly, Steer, Goldsborough, Hill, Bani, Boyle, Johnston, Crowe, Mashigo, Matete, O’Halleron. Subs: Clayton, Raffie, Morris, Makepeace, Hayes.
Bury: Carney, Skinner, Hatton, Hulme, Shotton, Allardyce, Adams, Mulgrew, Brown, Hill, Seriki. Subs: Jones, Copping, Moisin, Ondoa, E-Williams.