Rock solid

Fleetwood 0, Athletic 1
ONE CHANCE was all Fleetwood got.

Jamie Millgan whipped in a left-footed cross from the left wing and fellow substitute Richard Brodie failed to make serious contact with his header from six yards out.

It was the only time Athletic were at all troubled defensively by Fleetwood — a club which is one of the shining lights of the non-league scene both on and off the pitch.

It was another good effort from Athletic on a hot and energy-sapping day, capping a pre-season programme which has gone as smoothly as anyone could have wished.

At the top end of the field, Athletic manager Paul Dickov is still trying to get things right.

Striker Matt Smith who, if rumour is to be believed, caused the jaws of Blackpool officials to drop with his display against them recently, again impressed with his build-up play and accurate flick-ons.

But it is clear that Athletic still need another forward. Preferably of the rare ‘20 goals a season’ breed, if that isn’t stating the completely obvious.

Defensively, though, Dickov’s men seem as solid as steel. Zander Diamond headed home a swinging free-kick from debutant Matthew Lund after being given the freedom of the penalty area after 34 minutes.

It gave Athletic the win, but it was the same man’s impact at the other end of the field that really gave cause for optimism.

With Diamond alongside Jean-Yves Mvoto, Dickov has at his disposal a considerable physical barrier in central defence — and one that will give the less-muscular forwards of League One a few sleepless nights, both due to pre-match worry and, no doubt, post-match bruises.

In midfield, Dean Furman buzzed around to excellent effect once again. He appears well-suited to captaincy, in terms of leading by example at least.

Alongside him Lund, a new signing from Stoke, showed a few neat touches and a willingness both to try and play killer passes and to get forward into shooting positions himself, while Chris Taylor offered perhaps the most attacking threat of any player when running with the ball.

The Athletic man created the first chance, crossing from the left to find Filipe Morais, who controlled and smashed a volley which goalkeeper Scott Davies had to acrobatically tip over the bar.

Taylor then forced the same man to bat away his near-post effort soon after following excellent hold-up play by Smith.

Diamond’s goal came soon after Athletic had taken a stranglehold on proceedings, with Fleetwood’s best effort in the opening half being a 30-yard free-kick by Anthony Barry which fizzed a few yards wide of a rarely-employed Sam Johnstone’s far post.

Mvoto and Brodie indulged in a spot of wrestling two minutes into the second period which ended in handshakes.

The home support felt their side could have had a penalty, rather than a free-kick on the left corner of the area which came to nothing, when Diamond hauled down Andrew Mangan after 51 minutes.

Reuben Reid headed over the crossbar from Paul Black’s cross after a sweeping move and after a slew of substitutions and Brodie’s big miss, the game ended lumbered to a close.