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Match Reports Report: Young Cods Beaten In Cup Opener 18 August 2026 Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Email Copy Town Under-21s began their Premier League Cup campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Preston North End Under-21s at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday night. Harry Stringfellow fired the visitors ahead with an outstanding strike from outside the penalty area before Muhammad Oladiti brought the Young Cods level. Preston responded by regaining the lead and held on to secure all three points in the opening group-stage fixture. Town entered the contest looking to produce a positive response following their Professional Development League defeat against Colchester United at Poolfoot Farm four days earlier. The Young Cods named an experienced side for the Lancashire encounter, with James Pradic starting between the posts and Calum Costello wearing the captain’s armband. Danny Andrew, Jesse Dempsey and Sean Costelloe were also included in the starting line-up alongside several members of Town’s Academy setup. Both sides looked to establish themselves during the opening exchanges as the competition got underway under the Highbury lights. It was Preston who found the opening goal when the ball dropped invitingly to Stringfellow outside the Fleetwood penalty area. The Preston youngster caught his effort perfectly, sending a powerful strike into the top corner and leaving Pradic with no chance. Despite falling behind, the Young Cods continued to compete and were rewarded when Oladiti found the net to restore parity. The midfielder’s equaliser made it 1-1 and gave Town renewed belief as they looked to build on their response and turn the contest in their favour. However, the scores were not level for long as Preston struck again to regain the advantage and put themselves back in control of the cup tie. Fleetwood refused to allow the second goal to end their challenge and continued searching for another route back into the game. The Young Cods pushed for a second equaliser as the contest progressed, but the visitors protected their slender advantage and saw out the remaining stages to claim a 2-1 victory. Although Town were unable to take anything from their opening Premier League Cup fixture, the performance offered further valuable experience for the Academy group against their Lancashire rivals. Fleetwood will now turn their attention back to the Professional Development League before continuing their cup campaign, with group-stage fixtures against Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers still to come. Starting XI: Pradic (GK), Toole, Andrew, Cherry, Dempsey, Costelloe, Costello (C), Oladiti, Animasaun, McLean, Sawkins Subs: Bellizia (GK), Bamba, Buckley, Rochester, Slater, Stansfield, Wilkins Previous