Fleetwood Town were given a welcome confidence boost in their preparations for the new campaign, as they took a convincing victory against Championship outfit Huddersfield Town at the Highbury Stadium.

Story of the match

The hosts had a mightily impressive start to proceedings and took the lead within the opening minutes, teenage prospect Shayden Morris firing past Ryan Schofield from long range, after the Terriers goalkeeper had played a woeful pass out from the back, straight into the path of the former Southend United youngster.

After the early setback, the visitors really started to show their pedigree and came close to an equaliser shortly after, new acquisition Josh Ruffles seeing his shot well saved by Fleetwood keeper, Alex Cairns.

But despite their positive spell, Huddersfield were caught out once again shortly after. Academy graduate Ged Garner firing past Ryan Schofield with an acrobatic attempt from close range.

The visitors were thwarted for the remainder of the first half and as the two teams entered the break, it was Fleetwood who had given a far better account of themselves and were good value for their 2-0 lead.

Huddersfield had a much more positive start to the second half and came close to pulling a goal back within minutes of the restart, the Terriers’ star player Josh Koroma firing his opening into the side netting after a well-worked team move. 

By this point Huddersfield were very much on the front foot and came close once again through teenage prodigy Brahima Diarra, the 18-year-old Frenchman's testing strike saved well by former Leeds shot-stopper Alex Cairns.

Fleetwood continued to withstand the barrage of pressure, with goalkeeper Cairns really impressing, his next task was dealing with a venomous strike from Josh Ruffles. The Huddersfield pressure was now incessant. 

The Terriers did eventually get their goal and it was no less than they deserved after a lively second-half showing. Substitute Lewis O'Brien driving the ball past Alex Cairns in the Fleetwood goal. A goal so typical of the academy graduate's gritty nature.

The visitors weren't able to find an equaliser in the closing moments, however, as a resolute Fleetwood held on for a victory that will surely boost their morale ahead of the new campaign.

Food for thought for Carlos Corberan and Huddersfield ahead of their trip to Hillsborough at the weekend to face Sheffield Wednesday in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Takeaways

Shayden sparkles for Fleetwood

Amongst the most impressive performers for the hosts on the evening was teenager Shayden Morris who put in a performance of the highest order.

Morris was mightily impressive on the night and his sumptuous strike in the early moments of the game was pure class.

It could be a big campaign on the horizon for the 19-year-old who made just five league appearances last season but has already staked his claim for more involvement in the coming season.  A showing that will have undoubtedly provided Fleetwood boss Simon Grayson with food for thought.

Huddersfield midfield offers a glimpse to the future

It was a youthful-looking side that started Tuesday's clash for Huddersfield at the Highbury Stadium, with two teenagers making up two-thirds of the Terriers’ midfield.

Sat alongside 25-year-old Reece Brown in the middle of the park for Huddersfield were teenagers Brahima Diarra and Josh Austerfield, both giving a good account of themselves on the night.

The two offer a glimpse to the future for Huddersfield and are two of the most gifted players within the West Yorkshire outfits academy. Both will surely be in Carlos Corberan's plans for the upcoming campaign.

Man of the match - Ged Garner

There was a handful of players who really caught the eye on the evening, with Fleetwood's young striker Ged Garner the pick of the bunch.

Similar to teammate Shayden Morris, the young Liverpudlian is still yet to make his big breakthrough with the Lancashire outfit, but lead the line excellently on the evening for Fleetwood.

Garner will have put himself in good stead for the new season with his display, as he was a constant thorn in the side of Huddersfield and will undoubtedly provide strong competition to loanees Callum Morton and Ryan Edmondson throughout the campaign for the Cod Army.

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