Fleetwood Town’s Under-18s fell to defeat in their 4-2 loss to Port Vale in their latest North West Youth Alliance fixture in Staffordshire.
The young Cods had the start of nightmares as they found themselves one behind after just 90 seconds into the game and, even though they did go behind, the Under-18s managed to get a lot of challenges in, stopping Vale in their tracks as they advanced towards the Fleetwood goal, and then managed to move the ball forwards and make positive attacks for the rest of the half.
Liam Roberts – an Under-15s player who started for the Cods on the day – proved to be a threat throughout the first-half and was unlucky not to bring the side level before the break, as he managed to create three gilt-edged chances for himself.
With the batch of injuries plaguing the side, it wasn’t just Under-15 Roberts that made the step up to the Youth Alliance as two Under-16s in George Morrison and Kayden Hughes also started against the Valiants.
At the start of the second half, Vale doubled their lead from a set-piece, but Town reacted well yet again as they looked to get themselves back into the back, which they did soon after.
The Under-18s forced Vale back into their box and even won themselves a penalty, which was converted by Harry Clarke, before Jake Wallace swung in a corner into a packed box, where Will Johnson rose highest to score his second in as many games.
The momentum then shifted back to the host as they closed out the game well, firstly reacting well to latch onto a Connor Eastham kick and won a corner that they went on to convert and then extended their lead back to two just before the end making the game 4-2.
Simon Wiles’ side are back in action on Saturday 11 September when they host Bolton Wanderers at Poolfoot Farm.
Town XI: Eastham (GK), Khela, Hughes, Hunter, Wallace, Johnson, Thompson-Prempeh, Morrison, Clarke, Jones, Roberts.
Bench: Cragg (GK), Hand, Marsh.