Fleetwood Town’s Under 18s were held to a 1-1 draw with AFC Blackpool at The Mechanics on Tuesday in another pre-season friendly.
The players took the lessons from last week’s draw against Blackburn Rovers and continued to progress as they look forward to the start of the season – which is fast approaching.
Cian Hayes – who scored in the side’s last friendly against Blackburn Rovers – showed his kills off again, taking on his marker and slotting the ball into the back of the net to keep his run of scoring going.
Not long after the Under 18s took the lead, it was Hayes again running straight at the AFC Blackpool defence, driving into the box, and forcing the defender into a challenge, which led to a Fleetwood penalty. He then stepped up but his strike from the spot was saved by the keeper.
The young Cods carried on the pressure before the half as Enoch Takpe was unlucky as he hit the post from close range. Both Sam Bird and Billy Batch were running the wings, crossing the ball in, and creating chances, as well as tracking back and stopping any Blackpool attacks.
The hosts came out the blocks in the second half, making it difficult for the Fleetwood backline.
Town could have easily made it two just after the hour mark as substitute Joe Collins brilliantly intercepted the ball, before taking it round the keeper, but striking the ball over the bar.
AFC Blackpool came back into the game late on through a free-kick, awarded a few minutes from time. Joe Robinson stepped up and hit it the keeper’s side, after substitute Jonathon Borwick took a step across.
The players saw out the late pressure and held onto the draw – with brilliant lessons for all players being learned on the day.
The Under 18s are next in action on Saturday 5 September, as they are set to face Huddersfield Town in their last pre-season friendly before the new campaign starts.
Fleetwood XI: Eastham (GK), Bird, Batch, Hoyle, Patterson, Barrett, Raffie, Thompson, Takpe, Sithole, Hayes.
Fleetwood bench: Borwick (GK), Collins, Edwards, Feeney, Fenton, Smith, Trialist.