Fleetwood Town lost 4-2 to Cheltenham in a League Two match on Tuesday, a result that leaves them 12th in the table with 14 points from a record of three wins, five draws and three losses. Ched Evans scored both goals for the visitors but defensive errors proved costly in a game where Cheltenham took an early lead they never relinquished.
Cheltenham seized control inside the first 40 minutes. The opener came in the 17th minute when Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch turned the ball into his own net. K. Otchere doubled the lead eight minutes later, and Jake Evans made it three just before half time, finishing from a Charlie McCann assist.
Fleetwood manager Lawlor made a triple change at the break, introducing Evans, Crispin McLean and Conor Haughey for Adam Murphy, Will Davies and Ronan Coughlan. The move paid quick dividends. Evans pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half, converting a McLean cross. He then scored from the penalty spot in the 65th minute after a foul by Jonathan Tomkinson, who was booked.
That brought Fleetwood back to 3-2 and shifted the momentum. But the comeback was halted when Freddie Willcox restored Cheltenham's two goal cushion with ten minutes remaining. The match statistics reflected a frustrating night for Fleetwood, who had 57% possession and a higher expected goals figure of 2.38 to Cheltenham's 1.91, but were punished for defensive lapses.
Lawlor's changes and Cotterill's view
Lawlor's halftime reshuffle sparked the fightback. His team, however, did enough to secure the points.
The defeat extends a patchy run of form for Fleetwood, whose recent sequence of two wins, one draw and two losses in the last five games includes a 2-0 victory over Rotherham last Saturday and a 1-1 draw with Walsall. They have taken 14 points from their opening 11 games, sitting eight points behind leaders Salford City. The team has scored 12 goals and conceded 11 this season. Their next challenge is a trip to face 16th placed Exeter City on Saturday 24 October. Fleetwood will need to tighten up defensively, having conceded four times after letting in just 11 goals in their previous ten league matches this season.
The club's official match replay confirmed the penalty was awarded for a foul on Shaun Rooney. Fleetwood Town now sit 18th in League Two with 14 points from 12 games, having scored 14 and conceded 15 this season. The defeat leaves them 11 points behind leaders Salford City.
Cheltenham's Kirsten Otchere confirmed the nature of his first senior goal in their 4-2 win. The forward tapped in at the back post after a Jake Evans shot in the 25th minute. Otchere said, "It was a great feeling, perfect." He acknowledged playing out of position on the left wing but embraced the challenge. The defeat leaves Fleetwood Town 18th in League Two, with 14 points from 12 games and a recent form of LWDLL.
Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill praised his side's character after their 4-2 win, stating it "took a lot of courage" following a 4-1 weekend defeat. He said the response to Fleetwood's comeback to 3-2 showed immense courage. Cotterill also confirmed Kirsten Otchere's 25th-minute strike was his first EFL goal, adding the forward deserved it for his training efforts. The defeat leaves Fleetwood 18th in League Two with 14 points from 12 games.
