10.30am 31 August 2019
EFL Youth Alliance, North West
Fleetwood Town U18 2 Rochdale U18 1 (att 52)
Youth Alliance venues can be hard to pin down but I think this re-completed visits to all the current North West grounds. Fleetwood's youngsters play at the club's impressive Poolfoot Farm training ground in Thornton Cleveleys.
I'd last visited the complex for a summer league game on one of the 3G pitches, but this game was on grass.
As usual for Youth Alliance fixtures, rope designates the area for spectators, although meanly it only runs for barely half the length of one touchline. Fortunately there's a bit of an incline so those standing to the rear, with their backs against the fence of a 3G pitch, can still get a decent view over the heads of those in front.
A pair of seated but roofless dugouts are on the opposite side, beyond which are some nice-looking new homes, some of which have a good view of the pitch.
It was a blustery morning at Poolfoot Farm, although thankfully the torrential rain that began as I arrived had abated by the time we got to kick off.
Rochdale had the wind behind them in the first half and made the most of it to go in front, but Fleetwood equalised before half time. Rochdale fared less well when it was their turn to play into the wind, and Fleetwood dominated after the break.
They deserved their win, and it took an excellent performance by Rochdale's keeper, Morgan Piper, to restrict the home side to just a single second half goal.
I don't normally get to know the names of player in Youth Alliance matches, as teamsheets are very rare. I had no idea Fleetwood had printed any until the spectator standing next to me consulted his in the final few minutes. Luckily I spotted a discarded copy on my way out after the game.
EFL Youth Alliance, North West
Fleetwood Town U18 2 Rochdale U18 1 (att 52)
Youth Alliance venues can be hard to pin down but I think this re-completed visits to all the current North West grounds. Fleetwood's youngsters play at the club's impressive Poolfoot Farm training ground in Thornton Cleveleys.
I'd last visited the complex for a summer league game on one of the 3G pitches, but this game was on grass.
As usual for Youth Alliance fixtures, rope designates the area for spectators, although meanly it only runs for barely half the length of one touchline. Fortunately there's a bit of an incline so those standing to the rear, with their backs against the fence of a 3G pitch, can still get a decent view over the heads of those in front.
A pair of seated but roofless dugouts are on the opposite side, beyond which are some nice-looking new homes, some of which have a good view of the pitch.
It was a blustery morning at Poolfoot Farm, although thankfully the torrential rain that began as I arrived had abated by the time we got to kick off.
Rochdale had the wind behind them in the first half and made the most of it to go in front, but Fleetwood equalised before half time. Rochdale fared less well when it was their turn to play into the wind, and Fleetwood dominated after the break.
They deserved their win, and it took an excellent performance by Rochdale's keeper, Morgan Piper, to restrict the home side to just a single second half goal.
I don't normally get to know the names of player in Youth Alliance matches, as teamsheets are very rare. I had no idea Fleetwood had printed any until the spectator standing next to me consulted his in the final few minutes. Luckily I spotted a discarded copy on my way out after the game.
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