Croft raids spark Latics

AND THAT MAKES THREE: Robbie Simpson slots the ball home.

FLEETWOOD 1 ATHLETIC 3
A TRIO of smart strikes engineered by the class of Lee Croft and smartly finished twice by captain Dean Furman and by Robbie Simpson helped Athletic stroll to victory in a warm-up game at Fleetwood.

All three goals came in a spell of neat movement and passes in a hot 15-minute section of the first half.

Fleetwood, fancied by bookmakers to make it successive promotions during their first-ever season in the Football League, had no answers to Athletic’s play and could indeed have suffered more.

Micky Mellon’s side came into the game undercooked, having only played twice since the recess.

Their consolation goal was one of precious few moments of interest in the second period. It was scored by Andrew Mangan, who nodded a flicked-on cross past Alex Cisak from eight yards.

Once again, Athletic’s defence looked firm. Cliff Byrne made an impressive debut at right-back; Jonathan Grounds again cut a cool, composed figure at left-back, James Wesolowski and Furman controlled the first hour of the contest.





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