Preview: Sunderland v Fleetwood Town

8 March 2022

Fleetwood Town face Sunderland on Tuesday 8 March at the Stadium of Light in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Sunderland v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Tuesday 8 March 2022

Kick-off: 19:45

Venue: Stadium of Light, Stadium Way, Sunderland, SR5 1SU

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

Stephen Crainey’s side are set for a tough battle against the Black Cats in their next away clash as they will be looking to get back to winning ways after the loss to Ipswich Town at the weekend.

It was a game of few chances for both sides but, in the second half, Ipswich’s captain Samy Morsy, opened the scoring for the visitors before Kayden Jackson doubled their lead minutes after as he slotted it past Cairns.

In the reverse fixture, Town shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Highbury. Sunderland took the lead midway through the first half via a Ross Stewart header, with Aiden McGeady doubling their lead from the spot.

Callum Morton pulled one back late on to start a counter-charge which paid off right at the death as Ged Garner converted a last-minute spot-kick to make it level.

SUNDERLAND

Alex Neil’s side are sitting just one place outside the play-off spots ahead of this Tuesday’s game and they will be looking for all three points after their goalless draw against Charlton Athletic last time out.

The side have struggled for form as of late, winning two of their last ten games in the league but, in the last three, they are unbeaten with a 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic and draws coming against Burton Albion and Charlton, which was mentioned before.

In the win over Wigan, they travelled to Greater Manchester and, in what was a feisty encounter which saw 10 yellow cards be handed out, a brace from the spot from Stewart and an early opener from Bailey Wright secured the points on the day.

LAST THREE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES

Fixture: Fleetwood Town 2-2 Sunderland

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 18 October 2021

Venue: Highbury Stadium

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Fixture: Sunderland 2-0 Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Tuesday 23 February 2021

Venue: Stadium of Light

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Fixture: Fleetwood Town 1-1 Sunderland

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Friday 27 November 2020

Venue: Highbury Stadium

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	Fleetwood Town	Draws	Sunderland
H2H results	2	5	1

QUOTES: STEPHEN CRAINEY

Fleetwood Town Head Coach Stephen Crainey spoke to the press after his side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Ipswich Town at Highbury. Here is what he had to say in his interview:

“We’ve got a good squad of players at the football club. Everyone is going to be needed from now on until the end of the season so there are no excuses in terms of injuries.

“The effort and energy are always there every day. I see it every day (at training) and I see it in the game so we need to maintain those levels and eventually our luck will change. They’re a great group of lads; They come in with a smile on their faces every day and give me their all every day and that’s what we’re going to need from now until the end of the season.

“It’s going to take a group of men to stand up and be counted. We need men who want to stand up and fight and I’m sure I’ll get that because they are a good group. I’m looking forward to the final 12 games of the season and hopefully, we can get a few wins under our belt."

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Ten-man Town fall to defeat against Sunderland

8 March 2022

Fleetwood Town’s latest Sky Bet League One outing ended in a defeat to play-off chasing Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening.

Town started the better side as Ellis Harrison managed to break the deadlock after latching onto a loose back pass, but second-half goals from Elliot Embleton, Luke O’Nien, and Jack Clarke swayed the tie in the home side's favour.

The Cods had the first chance of the game inside the opening two minutes when Paddy Lane and Carl Johnston worked the ball to Danny Andrew on the left. The Fleetwood skipper’s strike forced goalkeeper Anthony Patterson into an early save.

This time, Shayden Morris drove into the Sunderland area from the right flank. However, he was forced away from goal by former-Cod midfielder Jay Matete who turned the winger’s shot behind for a corner.

The hosts came close soon after when Matete lofted the ball over the top for Ross Stewart who latched onto it, but the forward’s touch was too heavy and Alex Cairns was able to pounce.

Just before the half-hour mark, Town took the lead when Harrison latched on to a loose back pass that was intended for the goalkeeper. The forward showed his composure under immense pressure from the crowd and fired past Patterson at his near post.

Alex Neil’s side looked to force a way through after the opener as Elliot Embleton found space on the edge of the area, but saw his effort blocked by the onrushing Toto Nsiala. Minutes later, Clarke came close to finding the net from a tight angle, but Alex Cairns quickly shifted his feet to deny the forward.

In the 55^th minute, the home side levelled the score as Embleton latched onto a ball five yards from goal which looped into the back of the net.

Stephen Crainey looked for a response and the Cod Army provided him with one. They came close to regaining the lead when Danny Andrew’s freekick beat the wall and forced a fine diving save out of the goalkeeper.

Fleetwood continued their positive response through the brilliance of Cian Hayes. The ball was glued to the feet of the 18-year-old who under the challenge of a number of Sunderland defenders, retained possession before picking out substitute Ged Garner on the penalty spot. Garner, who controlled the ball eloquently, saw his shot saved.

Sunderland took the lead with just under 10 minutes to play as O’Nien capitalised on Jermain Defoe’s deflected effort and slotted past Cairns.

In the 87^th minute, Jules was shown two yellow cards in quick succession after he committed a foul on the near side.

In added time, Sunderland doubled their deficit when Jack Clarke cut inside from the left. He unleashed an effort from the edge of the area which nestled into the back of the net.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Andrew (C), Jules, Harrison (G.Garner 42’), Morris (Thiam 71’), C.Johnson, Baggley (Hayes 52’), Lane, Nsiala, Boyle, Johnston.

Subs not used: O'Hara (GK), Donaghy (GK), Butterworth, Bird.

Sunderland XI: Patterson (GK), Evans (C) (Gooch 46’), Embleton, Stewart, Winchester, Cirkin, Xhemajli (Defoe 46’), Clarke, Wright, Matete, Roberts (O’Nein 71’).

Subs not used: Hoffmann (GK), Doyle, Neil, Hume.

Attendance: 28,017

Match Reports

Ticket News

Get your tickets for Town's trip to Sunderland today!

7 March 2022

Fleetwood Town are set to take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday 8 March, in a 7:45pm kick-off, and you can get your tickets for the game now!

The Cods will be heading to the North East to face the Black Cats for the fourth time at their home ground and will be looking to bring all three points back to Highbury in the midweek clash.

Make sure to book your tickets in for the game; prices are below:

Tickets

The Cod Army will be located in the Carling Stand Upper Tier 3, with prices as follows:

Adults: £26

Seniors (65+): £23

Under-22s: £18

Under-16s: £12

Coach Travel

Coaches will be departing Highbury Stadium at 2pm, costing only £5 for all Onward Card Holders and £20 for Non-Onward Card Holders. To purchase either coach travel, visit the club shop at Highbury Stadium or call 01253 775080.