Cod Almighty | Match Report

by Sarah Barber

11 August 2024

Town lined up in a 4–3–3 formation: Wright, Cass, Rodgers, McJannet, Hume; Khouri, Green, McEachran; Svanþórsson, Vernam, Wilson.

Older readers will remember the Cod War (if you do, please contribute your memories to the latest book on the subject). It had a dramatic effect on our family. Another reason why people had to move away for work, which is why I ended up exchanging a bedroom window view of a rundown fishing port…for a view of a rundown fishing port. Fleetwood is even more behind the back of beyond, as despite being on the horizon, it  takes forty-five minutes to drive to in order to witness the opening game of the 2024-25 season (we're hoping my last season as Cod Almighty north-west correspondent) against the Cod Army.

Highbury 'stadium' is a tiny ground and until kick-off most of the people in it were in black and white. Struggling to generate atmosphere the announcer over-enunciated on Fleetwood's part – "first team coach Chaaaaarlie ADAM!!" – and two cod walked around in the sun; not the only effect of Heysham radiation for one was blue and the other pink and both were much prettier than cod have a right to be. Dave gave the 900 visiting fans (gate: 3,525) a polite if lugubrious round of applause. It would be fair to say that we kept up the noise: Fleetwood perked up slightly on scoring, but took an hour to sing.

First half
Town kicked off facing the Memorial Stand and passed back to Wright for his first league touch as Mariners' Last Defence. Within the first two minutes Green had picked up a loose ball in the centre, passed it to Vernam and the ball was drilled into the right-hand side netting. The defence failing to get the ball away, it was seized on by Svanþórsson and into the side netting on the other side. The resulting corner was taken short, and wasted; one of several crossfield balls hit too long by both sides, which wasn't entirely down to the breezes coming off the Irish Sea.

Despite not having converted these chances, the first 15 minutes were rather promising. There was some nice short passing to the right and the left of us, allowing Svanþórsson to show his skill. There were also signs of the cracks. Cass had made three mistakes in the first six minutes, and was apt to come forward and wide, meaning Rodgers came deeper to cover. Lack of wing play meant that when Town did use the width of the pitch the centre was exposed. Khouri didn't seem to get to the pace of the play and Fleetwood could be fast, strong and penetrating. When Town stopped for an off-side appeal, Fleetwood hit the post, and Lonergan and Coughlan were able to both find and create space up front. Fortunately, the latter headed straight at Wright.

Town had had 72% possession at the point that a crack opened wide enough for Mayor to twist and turn through Town's defence, played the ball to Hunt who laid it off for Fleetwood debutant Helm to stroke the ball low to Wright's left. There was not much he could have done as Mariners' Last Defence on this occasion.

All that promise didn't slip away: it just didn't have any power behind it. The writing was on the wall after 20 minutes when on one of the few occasions Town successfully played Svanþórsson through he was injured and then substituted eight minutes later (Barrington). As a player who's struggled with injuries, keep everything crossed.

The remainder of the first half, plus the five minutes added time for medical attention both on and off the pitch, was one in which Town still had the better of the possession, but with a dodgy defence and lack of penetration in the final third, lacked creativity. McEachran (who'd have thought Svanþórsson wasn’t the most difficult pronunciation that day?) looked fast and a promising playmaker in midfield, but he wasn't getting much support or movement. Fleetwood, on the other hand, just had that sharper edge so that 30% possession was enough.

Second half
Town came out unchanged, as did Fleetwood.

There was only one highlight. Town pushed forwards and occasionally caught Fleetwood offside, but these Fishermen had strength, precision and cunning in defence, which enabled them to buy freekicks and Town to look clumsy (something that the referee – not his finest game – failed to distinguish). Denver Hume was having the best of Town's second half (with the exception of one of those dodgy passes across the Town goal later in the half). He showed pace down the right only to be bundled away in the penalty area, shortly followed by a solid tackle on the Fleetwood byline. At the other end, Hunt's corner was another that sailed too long, but Bonds' long throw brought out a good save by Wright from Mayor's admittedly half-hit shot.

Green was substituted after 60 minutes and loanee Jordan Davies showed a good touch until he became the second Town player to be noticeably more unsubtle in the tackle and went in Ben Speedie's book. Twelve minutes later it was all-change and Fleetwood brought off the goalscorer and the ever-present Coughlan, while Town replaced Wilson with Danny Rose, McEachran with Gardner and Ainley for Vernam. With Rose on the pitch there was shouting and pointing and energy; Ainley provided some penetration up front, and there was more evidence of some deft touches. Another four minutes of added time was enough for Khouri to be the third (Town) player booked and for Hume to create a decent cross which the Fleetwood goalie fumbled.

Not the start you'd want to a season, admittedly, but playing away at a team that's newly relegated was always going to be an ask. As Dave would say, you have to put your chances away and we need to work on the final third. The stats were telling. Yes, Town had the possession, but not a single shot on target. Fleetwood gave away more fouls, but the three yellow cards were all Town's. Fleetwood had ten corners and it was luck that they struck most far too long.

In the end, Fleetwood were faster, higher, stronger. If Paris needs additional pzazz for its opening/closing ceremonies there's an announcer and two pastel fish looking for a global platform. In the chippies of both former fishing towns, however, the fish of choice is still haddock.