At the time of writing, Town’s second string have to date played three pre season friendlies. With the under 18,s now under the senior section of the club, as apposed to them being under the junior banner last term, the management have made a determined bid to drop the age limit of the side and introduced several 17 and 18 year olds into the current squad. In fact we even had a 15-year-old play for us against Squires Gate’s first team and very well he did too!

Our first game saw us play West Lancs. Side Thornton Cleveleys.Our neighbours from over the hill had several ex Town Reserve team players in their ranks and were even jointly managed by another ex Cod in Stuart Beech.Fleetwood ran out 2-0 winners with Chris Watkinson grabbing the goals. It was a very encouraging performance from the side whose fitness levels were considerable higher than their opponents. This is partly due to bringing in a fitness coach, John Chew, who has helped greatly with his different training techniques. That’s not to say Stuart and I have abandoned some of the old fitness tests and the squad has made more then one visit to the seaside. However their bucket and spades were not required as they tackle some rather daunting sand dunes!

With our proposed friend lie with Morecambe under 19,s postponed Thornton’s second string were good enough to step. Once again the score was a 2-0 victory, Watkinson and Jason Rawcliffe on the mark. The game served a purpose, although after a very poor first half performance the squad was reminded what was expected of them and duly obliged putting in a much better second half.

Our third game was always going to be the hardest game as we travelled to School Road to take on top North West Counties side Squires Gate. Gates are expected to pushing for honours this season after finishing in the top six the previous season. With a mixture of youth and experience Fleetwood absolutely tore the opponents to pieces in a blistering first half display. Danny Hurst in the Town goal was rarely troubled and the visitors turned around a goal to the good, thanks to a typical Phil Denney goal.

With changes made at half time it took Fleetwood ten minutes or so to get re-organised but soon after, the flowing football returned and Paul Haddows free kick was touched in by Steve Foster to put Town two up. Squires Gate were clearly despondent over their in ability to make any sort of impact in the game. Fleetwood’s third was the pick of the goals, Jason Rawcliffe drove down the left wing and cut inside the hapless fullback, beating another player he curled an unstoppable shot inside the top corner of the goal. Foster wrapped things up with his second goal of the game, easily beating the off side trap and shot low  past the keeper. A very competent and pleasing result against a good side.
With two more games before the season starts at home to Formby on the 15th August, Fleetwood will be looking to carry on improving and with a bit more luck maybe they will finally manage to better the three runners up positions of the previous three years.