FLEETWOOD, Lancs, 23 October, 2008

Leigh Genesis Res 0 Fleetwood Town Res 4
Lancit Haulage League
Wednesday 22nd October
By Steve Edwards

Fleetwood’s second string traveled the forty five miles to the back waters of Atherton to comprehensively batter second placed Leigh. Any one who has been to Atherton Collieries Alder Street ground will know just what a very unwelcoming place it can be. The pitch was very wet and soft and much to the disgust of Atherton’s grounds man the game was given the go ahead to be played.

Fleetwood made five changes to the side that beat Salford a week ago, Marek Basag replaced the injured Stuart Danson,Tom Wilson came into the middle of midfield and Mark France made the step up from the under eighteens to make his senior debut. Danny Hogg made his seasonal debut in goal replacing the unavailable pair of Mark Smith and Mike Hale. Fleetwood's latest signing Sean Webb played at the centre of the defense.

The visitors started very quickly and were dominant from the first whistle. Within five minutes new boy France showed he was not to be over awed by the occasion as he burst clear only to be foiled by the keepers legs. Fleetwood took the lead on fifteen minutes after Anthony Warwick (pictured) carved open the Leigh defence.His neat pass found Danny Penswick who made his way towards goal and thumped a shot into the keepers chest.The shot was to hot to handle and from the resultant spillage France was on hand to finish. Town went two up soon after, Adam Sumner, Warwick and Penswick combining to set up Jason Rawcliffe on the edge of the box, his first time shot catching the goal keeper off guard and the ball ended up in the net. Michael Tallentire replaced Basag on the half hour after the Pole injured his back.

The second half was never going to be a classic as the state of the pitch rapidly desegregated into something resembling treacle. Leigh huffed and puffed but the Fleetwood back four were superb all night and Hogg was never really tested. With fifteen minutes to go Town finally put the game to bed when they awarded a some what fortunate penalty.Rawcliffe intercepted a stray back pass and as he rounded the keeper was hauled down. France latched onto the loose ball and shot for goal. His shot hit the side netting but the Referee pulled the play back and awarded the penalty.Penswick stepped up and crashed the ball to the keeper’s right. With minutes remaining Fleetwood were awarded a second spot kick when after a darting run Shaun Beeley was upended.With Penswick off, Warwick took the kick. His effort was saved but he spared his blushes to slot in the rebound. There was just time for Warwick to show the on looking Leigh first team manager, Steve Bleasdale, he could be worth another look when he went on a mesmerizing run. He beat no less than seven defenders as he jinxed his way into the box only to be denied a dazzling goal by a last ditch tackle.

A fantastic first half performance against a good side and a battling second half in the mud in which Tom Wilson was out standing. Fleetwood now have a small break before their next encounter, away to Darwen on the 3rd November.