County were defeated by a rampant Fleetwood on Saturday, as the visitors left Carrington 5-2 winners.
A spirited second-half display from the young Hatters wasn’t enough to complete a memorable comeback, despite goals from Jack Kenny and Dallas Omoruyi.
County did have the first chance of the game early on and came within inches of taking the lead. James Barry’s out-swinging corner found the head of Ellis Farrar, but his looping header landed on the roof of the net.
It wasn’t long before Fleetwood took the lead. County failed to clear a corner with the ball loose in the box, and Fleetwood volleyed home, giving Billy Blake no chance.
The visitors then doubled their advantage midway through the half. A quick break down the right wing opened up the County back-line, and a wonderful cross found the head of a Fleetwood player, who nodded into the bottom corner.
The opposition looked rampant and could have added a third. A disguised pass saw Fleetwood through on goal, but Blake made a good save to his left to keep County in the game, holding onto the ball.
HALF-TIME: County 0-2 Fleetwood Town
County looked to make a lively start to the half and could have pulled one back instantly. A fantastic through ball by Jack Atkinson found Fabio Kibonda who raced through on goal, but his effort was well-saved by the goalkeeper.
The missed chances didn’t go unpunished for County, as Fleetwood found a third with a spectacular solo effort. Dancing past Atkinson, the forward jinked his way into the box and fired into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Fleetwood added a fourth moments later. A direct attack down the right saw the visitors race into the box, and a pull back across goal saw an easy finish for the striker.
County did then pull one back through Kenny. A floated free kick into the box found the head of the County captain, who planted his header into the bottom corner.
Omoruyi then won a penalty for County after a tangle of legs inside the area. Omoruyi stepped up himself and buried his penalty into the bottom corner, despite the goalkeeper guessing the right way.
Atkinson latched onto a fumble by the Fleetwood goalkeeper and was subsequently brought down, and County were awarded another penalty. Omoruyi stepped up once again but this time was denied by a great save.
The visitors came close to a fifth as the game drew to a close. The ball sat up perfectly for a volley after a dangerous corner, but Blake made an excellent save at his near post.
Fleetwood did eventually grab another as the game reached its end – another magnificent solo effort as the forward dropped his shoulder, creating a yard of space for himself, and fired high into the net, giving Blake no chance.
FULL-TIME: County 2-5 Fleetwood Town
County line-up: Blake; Bradbury-Allen, Farrar, Kenny (capt.), McMahon; Atkinson, Fligg, Jones; Omoruyi, Kibonda, Barry.
Subs: Harrison, Redshaw, Mee, Osifo, Tang
Photographer: Mike Petch.
