Fleetwood Town and Blackburn Rovers played out a goalless draw in the pre-season fixture at Highbury, with both teams having great chances throughout the match to seal the win.
It was a bright start for the visitors who nearly took the lead within the first 60 seconds. Sam Gallagher found a yard of space inside the six-yard box, but his shot was blocked by Toto Nsiala.
Town got a foothold in the match following the visitors fast start. Phoenix Patterson looked lively down the left flank and on numerous occasions delivered a peach of a cross, unfortunately they were just cleared by the Rovers’ centre halves.
Scott Brown’s side went close to opening the scoring just before the 10th minute. Jack Marriott did well to find Josh Vela in the middle of park, who later switched the play to Carl Johnston. The Northern Ireland international put his cross into a dangerous area, narrowly avoiding his teammate in the box.
Tyrhys Dolan looked a threat throughout the opening quarter, and would have got himself on the scoresheet if it wasn’t for Lynch pulling off a fine save from 20 yards out.
Nsiala was made to work once again after Dolan’s through ball found Gallagher, but as the forward pulled the trigger, Town’s no.22 was there to block his effort.
Town were forced into a change in the first half, with Marriott making way from Promise Omochere.
The second half started just like the first with Rovers having the first chance. Sammie Szmodics tried his luck from 20 yards, but he saw it fly high and wide into the away stand.
Moments later, Omochere had a shot from 25 yards – but his effort went straight down the throat of Kaminski.
Lynch was again called into action. This time Gallagher worked a yard of space at the back post, headed it towards the near post thinking he opened the scoring, but he was denied by a fantastic left hand save.
Josh Earl thought he broke the deadlock, but his thunderous strike couldn’t beat the crossbar.
Rovers had two changes close to each other. The first saw their summer signing Sondre Tronstad fire a bullet from 30 yards, with the later being from Szmodics – whose effort was blocked two yards off the goal line from Earl.
Town made three changes on the 75th minute mark to freshen things up ahead of a busy six days, as well as to give players valuable time on the pitch.
The game finished goalless, but it was a good workout for both clubs, who both begin their EFL season on Saturday 7 August.
Town XI: Lynch (GK), Johnston, Wiredu, Robertson, Vela (C) (Asamoah, 84’), Mayor (Broom, 75’), Marriott (Omochere, 29’), Graydon (Junior, 75’), Nsiala (Holgate, 75’), Earl, Patterson.
Subs not used: McMullan (GK), Hayes, Teale, Glenfield.
Rovers XI: Kaminski (GK), Brittain, Hyam, Tronstad (Weston 75’), Szmodics, Gallagher (Wood, 86’), Dolan, Rankin-Costello, Carter, Hedges, Travis.
Subs not used: Hilton (GK), Eastham (GK), Montgomery, O’Grady Macken, Davies, Atcheson.