Fleetwood Town's Under-18s opened their 2023/24 campaign with a 3-0 win over Watford FC at Poolfoot Farm in the Professional Development League.
The Under-18s scored late on in the first half, and it was up to captain Kayden Hughes to give the Young Cods the lead at the interval. Hughes bagged his second of the day with a long-range effort before forward Mikey Lane rounded it off with a tidy finish after beating the offside trap.
It was a nervy start to Town's season against Tom Cleverley's Watford side, with this being Fleetwood's first match in the Professional Development League following the step up to Category Two Academy status.
With both teams having chances during the first half, it was left late in the first half for captain Hughes to open the scoring. From Liam Roberts' whipped in corner, the central defender rose the highest inside the 18-yard box to glance his header across go into the far corner - just what the red and whites deserved.
In the second half, Watford put pressure on Mark Yeates' side and whilst the Hornets were on the attack, Hughes went to clear the ball from danger, and with the wind picking up, the ball carried almost 80-yards to beat the keeper - a brace for Hughes.
First year scholar Lane worked hard throughout the game and got his reward after timing his run and beating the Watford offside trap. The young forward was calm and collected in front of goal and managed to find the bottom corner to make it three goals to the good for Fleetwood.
The Under-18s now face Colchester United away on Saturday 26 August, with the next home game at Poolfoot Farm to take place on Saturday 9 September against Queens Park Rangers.
Town XI: Bellizia (GK), Cirino, Trialist, Elmore, Hughes (C), Butterworth, Richmond, Namputu, Lane, Mclean, Roberts.
Subs: Woodward (GK), Eccles, Smith, Daha, Currie.
