Fleetwood Town manager Matt Lawlor has urged caution after his side's 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Chesterfield, warning that the victory could be a 'false dawn' ahead of their league clash this weekend. The Cods, who finished 15th in England League Two last season with 61 points (15W-16D-15L), secured the win thanks to a strike from former Spireite Ched Evans, but Lawlor remains wary of the quick turnaround.
What happened in the Carabao Cup match?
Fleetwood Town edged past Chesterfield 1-0 in the Carabao Cup, with Ched Evans' goal proving decisive. The win sets up a potential Premier League tie in the second round, but Lawlor is more focused on securing league points. 'If you’d asked me before the game which one I would have preferred, this would have been next week, but I’ll take the cup win and hopefully build on it for Saturday,' he said.
Why is Lawlor wary of a 'false dawn'?
Lawlor believes the quick rematch with Chesterfield could neutralize any tactical advantage. 'They know a little bit more about us and we know a little bit more about them. It kind of becomes a false down,' he explained. The manager also highlighted the challenge of preparing for back-to-back games, especially at the start of the season.
What does this mean for Fleetwood Town's season?
Despite the win, Fleetwood Town face an uphill battle in League Two, finishing 26 points behind leaders Bromley last season. However, Lawlor is optimistic about his squad, particularly the impact of 37-year-old Ched Evans. 'He’s massively vital in the Fleetwood Town first team at the moment,' Lawlor said. The team will next face Oldham at home on September 1, 2026.
