Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Match Reports

Report: Town extend their unbeaten run to three after Ipswich victory

29 August 2023

Match Reports

Report: Town extend their unbeaten run to three after Ipswich victory

29 August 2023

Sponsored by

Fleetwood Town's Development Squad made it three wins from three on Tuesday afternoon as they beat Ipswich Town 1-0 at Highbury.

Maleace Asamoah's first half chip was the difference on the Fylde Coast, ensuring Town's unbeaten record in the Professional Development League in their first season in the competition.

It's fair to say it was a scrappy start to the game at Highury, but the first half-chance fell to the visitors following their corner on the left hand side. The corner was cleared by George Morrison, but only found Ben Haddoch - whose powerful effort went narrowly over David Harrington's crossbar.

With 16 minutes on the clock, Asamoah opened the scoring at Highbury. Wright got the assist with a beautiful ball over the centre-half and the forward was on hand to chip the on-rushing Gray to slot the ball home. Would this kick the game into life?

Fleetwood were forced into a change on the half hour mark. Club legend Nathan Pond looked to have pulled his hamstring after stretching for the ball to clear it from danger, meaning Under-18s captain Kayden Hughes was introdcued into the fray.

Ipswich had the next big opportunity. Gerrard Buabo thought he had levelled the scoring with his cute effort at goal from close range. Harry Barbrook put in a peach of a cross to his teammate, who failed to convert the chance.

The Tractor Boys had another chance with Jacob Mazionis. When the ball was whipped into Fleetwood 's 18-yard box, the tall centre-half leapt the highest to head on target, but Harrington was there to deny the equaliser.

Asamoah - the scorer of the first - had the last meaningful attempt just before the interval. Combining with creative midfielder Pharrell Brown, the forward went through on goal, who could only fire his shot straight the Gray between the sticks. 

The hosts started off brightly in the second half, and with a lovely overlap on the left flank, substitute Hughes found himself in space to cross the perfect ball for Asamoah to take the shot first time - the striker did just that, but his right footed effort could only find the post - great chance to double the lead.

Finlay Armstrong made his Town debut in this match replacing Josh Edwards at left-back. Armstrong joined from Burnley in the summer and looked solid slotting in for cover.

Harrington pulled off a superb save with twenty minutes left on the clock. Oldnie-Morgan started to go away and celebrate, but out of nowhere, the former Cork City keeper jumped high and wide to pluck the ball out from going into the top corner.

Town reacted well and nearly made it 2-0 through Asamoah. He was played through on goal, but tried to cur it around the keeper, but opened his foot too much and saw his effort go wide of goal.

With Ipswich pushing for an equaliser, Town were able to counter the visitors a few times towards the end. With Brown and Asamoah's pace, and late runs from Morrison and Fishburn, Town created chances late on, but failed to capitalise on defensive errors.

Town pushed for a second, but the Tractor Boys threw all their bodies on the line to keep the score at 1-0, with Matt Lawlor's side claiming their third win on the bounce.

Town's XI: Harrington (GK), Wright, Edwards (Armstrong, 57'), Johnson (c), Pond (Hughes, 30'), Wilson, Morrison, Fishburn, Brown, Asamoah (Lane, 85'), Hoyle.

Subs not used: Cragg (GK), Namputu.

Ipswich XI: Gray (GK), Jambang (O'Neill, 85'), H.Barbrook, Sangare (Lavin, 57'), Mazionis, F.Barbrook, Valentine, Haddoch (Okunowo, 69'), Buabo (Davis, 46'), Taylor, Oldnie-Morgan.

Subs not used: Binns (GK).


Advertisement block

iFollow Next Match Tickets Account