Fleetwood striker Cole hopes goals pave way for more starts

Cole hit his first goal of the season in the 3-1 defeat at Walsall and then made the most of a rare start for Town by scoring in their final-day 2-0 win over Crewe at Highbury.

Having made just three starts and 11 substitute appearances since joining the club from Bradford in January, Cole hopes his end-of-season form will pave the way for more chances to prove himself.

The son of legendary Newcastle and Manchester United striker Andy, Cole said: “I’m feeling really good. Obviously every striker loves to score goals.

“I’ve not played a lot since I have been here. It has been frustrating, but I think I have shown that if I get the game- time I can score goals and perform.

“You are always going to miss as a striker, but you have to keep on getting in there. If you get scared, then it is never going to happen for you.

“I’ve been very frustrated but I have waited for my chance and taken it, so hopefully next season I can kick on.”

Cole, who turned 21 last week, was part of the MK Dons side that clinched promotion from League One 12 months ago.

And after escaping relegation with Town, he doesn’t want to be fighting at the wrong end of the table again next term.

And after Town made non-league hotshot Ashley Nadesan their first summer signing – he scored 99 goals in two seasons for Surrey side Horley Town – Cole says Fleetwood have the players to be challenging at the right end of the table. He said: “I’m massively relieved. Going down would have been horrible.

“I went up last year, so I have had both the ups and the downs now and I wouldn’t want that game (against Crewe) again. I didn’t really feel any pressure.

“It might have been different for the other lads but I have taken it in my stride and just thought that we had to win.

“Everyone was down after the Walsall game. It was a poor performance from us, far from what we are.

“But we came out and showed what we really could do against Crewe.

“It is always nice (to end the season on a high) and with the two goals.

“With the players we have, I think we should be top-half and challenging up there.

“We will get a good pre-season under our belts and then see what we can do.”