With 12 players to choose from Ethan Rowley resumed duties in goal with Jack Smith and Josh Mclardie both in impressive form in their central defensive partnerships charged with snubbing out danger posed by Towns lively forward line up. George McCauley and Daniel Johnson flanked them at left and right back positions respectively. Jacob Wilson was charged with filling the midfield holding role between the back four and his midfield of Brandon, Carl, Tom and Liam fresh from his goal scoring exploits from Tuesday. David Sherry on target twice in the same game would be surely looking to extend his tally at the top of the TCFC U12s goal scoring charts.

 

With Fleetwood Town kicking off it was a cat and mouse game for the opening five minutes with no meaningful chances falling for either side. Several mini–games of head tennis between both midfields and back fours was all the expectant supporters could witness until Brandon brought the ball under his control in a defensive position .Playing the ball neatly through Towns midfield to Mozza who in turn swept a diagonal defence splitting pass in to the path of Shezza on the edge of the 18yard box. When in such great goal scoring form, Sherry was well with in his rights to chance his luck .With a swing of his trusty right boot he cracked in a worthy effort that a Red shirted defender did well to steer out for a corner. This move set the standard for the game for the next 15 minutes with countless examples of mixing play. Balls spread wide to Tom or Carl on the wings, Neat one – twos between the midfield trio and the defenders not afraid to pump a well weighted ball forward when the time was right.

 

 With corners being conceded by Town, George stood up to the task of taking them well with 2 or 3 quality in-swingers in to the 6 yard box .Possibly the only criticism the coaches could offer at this stage was not one blue and black shirt really attacked the ball allowing the Fleetwood defenders to win the loose ball and clear danger. Town rode their luck a little more when Jordan Heslop did well to block a curling effort from Jacob when the ball fell at the edge of the 18 yard box when one attempted clearance did not sufficiently clear the danger area.

 

A further feature of TCFC’s recent good form was again evident again in this game in the commitment and desire this side have shown in the closing down of the opposition’s player who has the ball. Carl Purdon showed great examples of this throughout the game and Tom Buschini took it to another level with a fantastically timed sliding tackle forcing his man out of play! Somewhat against the run of play Fleetwood Town found the back of the net with their first goal bound attempt. A needlessly given away goal saw Thornton on the back foot and in games gone by have been seen to crumble. Sensing they had been the better side they stuck to their guns and continued to play football with flair and grit in equal measure to get themselves back in the game.

 

 Liam Morris was alert throughout and forced Towns keeper to make diving saves at his feet and would have worried his Representative Teams Coaches when held clutching his wrist after one such worthy challenge. GMc, DJ, Jack and Josh finished off a fine half keeping Towns usually lively forwards at bay by defending as a unit. As much as Thornton could feel hard done by to go in at the break 1 – 0 down the general feeling from the Fleetwood camp appeared to be one of relief that they were a goal to the good, after not having by their own usual high standards – Or not being allowed to play by a very determined 1st half performance from the away side?

 

Early promise of the half time team talk being taken on board followed straight form the restart as Liam again used his pace to beat his markers and flashed a shot wide of keeper Wylies right hand upright. David Sherry soon followed up with a thunderous strike that he could nt quite keep down. FTFC upped their rate as they woke up to the fact that TCFC still meant business and Ethan did well holding on to a good strike that rattled in to his mid – riff. The game was now becoming much cagier but the Blues n Blacks continued to not neglect their defensive duties when put under pressure. Jack Smith was the filling between the ‘Fleetwood Sandwich’ but still managed to come out on top, winning a timely header between home side forwards.

 

Brandon continued to pull the strings in midfield winning his own little battles but showing discipline, ably assisted by Jacob in trying to carve out clear opportunities. A performance that went on to earn Lefley the coveted Man of the Match Award in a match that contained many contenders. Carl Purdon who had again put in a good shift particularly in the 1st half with some probing runs and well placed passes made way for Dan Foster to come in at right back allowing Daniel Johnson to push forward to right mid. A substitution that nearly bore fruit immediately as Dan F lifted a good clearance in to DJ who went on one of his trade mark mazy runs from his own half only to be felled at the edge of the 18 yard box.

 

TCFC found themselves 2 – 0 down mid way through the second half. A very well struck shot that beat everyone for height and pace; not as against the run of play as the 1st goal but a sickener non the less as 2 -0 flattered the home side on balance of play. Not quite the attacking power they were earlier in the game, Thornton tried as they might to get at least a well deserved consolation – A goal that all present at King Georges would not have felt was justified.