Fleetwood Town | Opposition Report

Salop take on another League Two side following their Carabao Cup win away against Salford, with a trip under the lights on the Lancashire coast at Fleetwood.

Fleetwood started their cup journey with a 1-0 home win against Chesterfield, courtesy of an error from the Spireites' keeper that Ched Evans capitalised on. They also secured another 1-0 win against the Derbyshire-based side on the opening day of the league season, as well as a 0-0 draw at home to Gillingham.

In the 25-26 season, The Cod Army beat Shrewsbury at Highbury 3-1 in Fleetwood, with goals from Ryan Gradon, Lewis McCann and Matty Virtue. Ismael Kabia pulled one back for the Shrews before former Salopian James Bolton was dismissed in stoppage time. Points were shared later at The Croud Meadow, with Crispin McLean adding to a Taylor Perry own goal, with Josh Ruffels finding the back of the net for Shrewsbury before Ismael Kabia signed off his Town loan spell with an incredible effort from long range.

Fleetwood finished 15th last season and are looking to return to League One after 3 seasons, with manager Matt Lawlor taking charge of his first full season in management.

The manager

Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor spent his playing career in the non-league game, playing as a midfielder and defender for Farsley Celtic and Bamber Bridge. He initially started coaching whilst at the latter, working for Manchester United as a development coach. He first moved to Fleetwood in 2019 as a youth coach, before taking charge of their coaching and player development.

He later became the manager of the club’s under-21 side, where he took over as caretaker of the first team twice, managing and winning one game in both stints. He also had two stints as caretaker manager at Fleetwood’s Irish partner club Waterford.

He was brought back to the Fylde coast as part of former manager Pete Wild’s coaching staff, who Lawlor eventually succeeded as gaffer. His first full season as manager, Lawlor favours a three-at-the-back setup, with attacking wing-backs encouraging fluid, creative attacking football. Following his previous role, Lawlor enjoys bringing youth players into the first team squad, allowing them to develop at the height of the men’s game.

Ones to watch

Andy Cannon

Explosive midfielder Andy Cannon originally came through Rochdale's academy, breaking into the first team in 2014 and making over 120 appearances, before earning a move to Portsmouth in 2019.

He made 79 appearances for Pompey across three seasons, before being snapped up by Championship side Hull City. He made sporadic appearances for The Tigers, before going on loan to Stockport County in the National League. Here he caught the eye of the Wrexham scouts, where he played a pivotal role in three successive promotions with Wrexham from the

National League to the Championship. After a loan spell at Burton Albion, Cannon was released from the Welsh side and joined Fleetwood in the summer, starting every game of the 2025-26 campaign so far.

Ched Evans

Former Wales international Ched Evans started his career at his local club Rhyl, before climbing the academies at Chester City and Manchester City.

He made 16 appearances at the Citizens, earning 13 caps for his country and a move to Sheffield United. In his second season at the Blades, Evans managed to score 35 goals as they returned to the Championship.

Evans’ first spell at Fleetwood was in 2018, where he joined on loan following a fruitless 2017-18 campaign. After netting 18 times, he joined The Cod Army permanently, where he continued to perform, until attracting the eye of Preston North End. After an initial short-term loan, he joined the Lilywhites permanently, staying at Preston for four more seasons.

Evans rejoined Fleetwood in 2025 and, at the age of 37, brings a wealth of experience to the Lawlor’s youthful side.

Mark Helm

Fan favourite Helm spent a decade in Manchester United’s academy before moving to Burnley in 2021 to play for their Under-21 side. The versatile midfielder then moved to Burton Albion in January 2023, making over 50 appearances and scoring 9 times at the Pirelli Stadium.

He then joined his current side in July 2024 following their relegation to League Two. He’s since gone on to make over 100 appearances for the Lancashire side, creating 26 goal involvements. Helm has since become the Cod Army’s set- piece specialist and is the lifeline in the centre of the park, controlling the tempo from midfield whilst driving dangerous attacks through to the final third with clinical passes.

Jay Lynch

Salford-born Lynch started his career in the Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers' academies, before moving to Accrington Stanley as a back-up goalkeeper. He made his first professional appearance against Salop in 2014, after Stanley keeper Luke Simpson was dismissed.

He then made the move to then non-league side Salford City, where he made over 120 appearances and was part of two promotion-winning sides that saw The Ammies reach the National League North. He further established himself as starting keeper at AFC Fylde in the National League, before moving to Rochdale.

Lynch eventually joined Fleetwood Town in 2022 and has been a key figure between the sticks ever since.