Fleetwood win battle of the Green and Golds

4 successive victories had boosted the team and with coach Steve Woodburn able to pick from an almost full squad hopes were high that the winning run would continue. West Park play in an almost identical kit to Fleetwood but the home side had to change into unfamiliar black shirts to prevent a colour clash. A minutes silence was observed before the game as at many others on Remembrance weekend.

The first 20 minutes of the game were littered with mistakes from both sides who struggled to get any real go forward. Fleetwood had the better of the possession and field advantage but couldn’t turn their superiority into points. Two yellow cards in quick succession for Park, one for deliberately throwing the ball into touch, the other for killing the ball gave Fleetwood a numerical advantage that they used to create a score for Ryan Hargreaves converted by Tom Evans. 0-7. An injury to the West Park prop meant uncontested scrums for the rest of the game, denying Fleetwood a potent weapon as they had been dominant in that area until then. Park defended well while they were 2 men down and as the numbers were again equalised scored an unconverted try from a 5m scrum. 5-7. As the referee played a lot of added time Fleetwood scored twice just before half time. The first was a penalty try after a series of infringements by park close to their line and then a great catch and drive by the forwards for an unconverted try right on the half time whistle to give them a 5-19 lead.

A great passage of play early in the second half saw Fleetwood go through multiple phases to eventually put Tom Evans in for an unconverted try. 5-24. Two more yellow cards for Park didn’t help their cause as Fleetwood went the full length of the field in an excellent passing movement with Joe Kirton scoring under the posts. Tom Evans adding the extras. 5-31. Replacement Andy Holme was yellow carded for a high tackle and West Park took advantage of their superior numbers to score an unconverted consolation try to make the final score 10-31
Another good bonus point win on the road.

Man of the Match goes to Devon Brown who was playing his last match for us. During his time with us while studying at the Nautical College he has been a huge asset and we wish him well as a Merchant Navy Officer. It was good to see James Lilley back in a Fleetwood shirt for the first time since his injury at the end of last season. Ricky Newton asked where he was on the Man of the Match list. I referred him to the number of his shirt (21). We are only allowed a squad of 20!

Thanks to West Park for their excellent hospitality and we look forward to hosting the in the New Year. Next week with our sponsors Marston’s Brewery, we host Ormskirk kick off 1415.

Match report by Steve Doherty