Fleetwood Town manager Charlie Adam took both positives and negatives amidst his side’s relegation fight after a goalless match against Bristol Rovers at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday night.
It was an underwhelming first half for both teams, but it was the Fishermen who looked to break the deadlock first. With five minutes to go before the half time, Promise Omochere used his strength to pick out fellow midfielder Danny Mayor, but his strike was denied by a block from Rovers defender Luca Hoole. The Pirates looked to respond quickly just before the break, but Antony Evans could only hit his one-on-one opportunity straight at goalkeeper Jay Lynch.
The away side started the second half the better of the two teams as Scott Sinclair’s shot was stopped by Lynch, but it was Fleetwood who would dominate the rest of the game. AFC Bournemouth loanee Gavin Kilkenny rattled the woodwork on the hour mark when the ball fell kindly to him at the edge of the box.
Rovers were also under pressure when defender Elkan Baggott, on loan from Ipswich Town, hooked a trickling effort from Jayden Stockley off the line. It was the Pirates who had the last chance of the game, however, as Evans’ deflected free-kick hit the post.
The Fishermen remain 22nd in the League One table, six points from safety and make it five games unbeaten since losing to Barnsley at home in February. Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers have moved up to 11th and continue to solidify their status in the division for next season.
Fleetwood Town manager Charlie Adam spoke to the club’s media after the match and admitted his players have a huge task ahead to stay up but must take advantage of games against teams above them to have a chance.
“It’s a good challenge and we are looking forward to that we have to focus on what we’re doing, there were some good bits tonight but also some bits we know we have to improve on.
“We didn’t win but it’s another point closer. We must try and win the games against (the teams above us) so we can close the gap and we’ve got a few big games coming up in the next couple of weeks,” Adam continued.
“I was disappointed with the first 45 minutes, there was no intensity with how we want to start games.
“In the end, it’s a point at home and another clean sheet, and we will look forward to Saturday where we have to go full throttle.”
Writer’s View
It’s surprising not to see Fleetwood Town boss Adam more upset with this result against Bristol Rovers. This is a game where his side must pick up maximum points, with the Gas having virtually nothing to play for. These are the sort of matches that define a season for a team in a relegation fight and fans will surely see this as two points dropped. The Cod Army could have been just four points from safety but, instead, are now six. With tough games against Charlton Athletic and fellow relegation battlers Cheltenham Town coming up, Adam will need his side to earn no less than four points from the next two.
Bristol Rovers will just be pleased they kept a clean sheet after their 3-0 loss to promotion hopefuls Derby County last week. Matt Taylor’s side aren’t playing for anything now this season. 11 points from the playoffs and 16 points from the bottom four mean they should be playing for as high a finish as possible and look to build momentum into next year when the playoffs will be the aim.
