Fleetwood Town’s Under-17s progressed to the semi-finals of the Professional Development League Cup after they managed to beat Colchester United 2-1 at Poolfoot Farm on Tuesday afternoon.
Town fielded a very young side for the clash, with seven Under-16s and one Under-15 in the matchday squad, but it was goals from Jensen Stansfield (Under-16) and Reece Wilkes (Under-15) that earned Fleetwood the spot in the next round of the competition.
The Young Cods started the better and took the lead early in the clash as Harry Elmore knocked on a long goal kick to Stansfield on the left wing. He then drove forward, taking on the right-back and smashing his strike across the face of goal and into the bottom corner.
With the side now knowing there was room to play down the left, they then tried to make the same play, this time including forward David Animasaun, but the effort was straight at the goalkeeper on this occasion and was pushed over the crossbar for a corner.
It was then the turn of Animasaun to have a chance of his own as he latched onto a pass from Jack Doherty in the middle of the park before bustling his way through the away side's defenders, but the goalkeeper was, unfortunately, a match to his low effort
After the half-time break, Mark Yeates' side doubled their lead over Colchester and what a goal it was. Youngster Wilkes stood over a corner and whipped the ball into the box with his left foot and managed to find the back of the net instead, with it sneaking in at the back post, making it 2-0.
This win sees the Under-17s through to the final four of the competition with Bournemouth, Burnley, Cardiff City, Crewe Alexandra, Millwall, and Watford potential opponents in the next round - which is set to be played at the end of February - well done, lads!
Town XI: Graham (GK), Cirino (C) (Ruocco 75'), Jake Doherty, Smith (Wilkes 46'), Eccles, Slater, Stansfield, Elmore (Wilkinson 75'), Animasaun, Jack Doherty, Roberts (Daha 60').