By Mike Greenhalgh Mike Greenhalgh reports on Fleetwood U11s game against Squires Gate.
Fleetwood Gym 2–0 Squires Gate:
Gym made a very positive start to what turned out to be, a hotly contested game. A shot from a Gym corner almost opened the scoring for Gym in the opening five minutes but the shot went wide. Michael Drurie, Jack Wilkinson, Cameron Hirst and Jack Greenhalgh were resolute at the back and repelled the occasional attack from Squires Gate, leaving little for keeper Bradie Stewart to do for much of the first half. Gym made a number of promising attacks down the left wing mid-way through the half but seemed to lack conviction around the Squires Gate box. This all changed with some terrific attacking play from Jake Ashurst, which enabled Anthony Bowker to shoot and only a fine save from the Squires Gate keeper prevented Gym from scoring. A few minutes later Jake Ashurst had a scoring opportunity of his own but his looping shot was just a little too high. The half ended goal-less but the game was there for Gym's taking if only they could maintain their momentum in the second half.
A shot from Anthony Bowker in the opening minutes of the second half produced another great save from the Squires Gate keeper. At the other end of the pitch a couple of minutes later Squires Gate looked to have sneaked a headed goal from a corner but thankfully for Gym, the ball bounced wide of the post. Tom Duggan was busy on the right wing but it was George Burns on the left with a terrific strike that broke the deadlock and put Gym in front. Midway through the second half, Daniel Stoney won a free kick for Gym on the edge of the box and opened an opportunity for Gym to increase their lead but the eventual shot flew over the bar. New signing Michael Drurie proved his worth with some great defending in the middle of the Gym defence and bagged himself Man of the Match honours. George Burns almost netted himself a second goal with another strike from the left but despite a deflection from Tom Duggan to help it on it's way the shot was cleared off the line. More attacking play from Gym saw a free kick on the right hand side of the Squires Gate area, Jake Ashurst stepped up and his expertly directed shot looped over the keeper to increase Gym's lead to 2-0. The ref blew a couple of minutes later to end proceedings and, thanks to a great team effort, Gym walked away with a very well-earned first win of the season.
