Sarcevic spot on as Fleetwood beat Getafe

Antoni Sarcevic scored both goals from the penalty spot – as many as Town had netted in their five previous friendlies.

There was a first Highbury appearance for defender Eggert Jonsson, who almost saw Town take the lead from an early Jimmy Ryan corner.

Former Blackpool attacker Bobby Grant met it with a clean strike, which was deflected by Jamille Matt and crashed against the bar.

Fellow striker Declan McManus burst through on Megyeri’s goal on 11 minutes but could only hit the side-netting under pressure from Alberto.

Town’s hard work was rewarded in the 17th minute, when Matt was tripped in the box by Cala and captain for the night Sarcevic found the left corner of the net.

Full-back Alberto almost equalised on the half-hour, getting goalside of Amari’i Bell and Danny Andrew, but his shot from inside the box was deflected wide by Stephen Jordan.

McManus was denied his first goal for Town on 36 minutes, when his quality header was ruled out for offside.

It was a similar story after half-time as Matt had a goal fairly disallowed forthe same reason, then the striker was denied by Megyeri’s outstretched hand.

Fleetwood keeper Chris Maxwell was finally called into action at the other end, comfortably saving a curling effort by the dangerous Campos.

The hosts continued to have the better of the midfield battle and Graham Alexander freshened his side up for the final 20 minutes by introducing Ash Hunter, Vamara Sanogo and Lyle Della-Verde.

Getafe made changes too and introduced former Real Madrid man Pedro Leon., who made an instant imact but his free-kick from the edge of the box was collected by Maxwell.

Spanish substitute Emibuendia had two good chances to equalise but first flicked the ball just wide, then within a minute was denied by the onrushing Maxwell.

Victory was sealed in the 89th minute, when Sanogo was tripped and Sarcevic hammered his second spot-kick into the roof of the net.

Delighted Town boss Alexander said: “It was an excellent performance. We wanted to build the lads up towards the start of the season and build upon each performance.

“I think that we did that. We played some incisive, attacking football. We deservedly scored both goals and we played some very good stuff, especially in the first half.

“The players are getting to grips with what we want from them, and they are learning how their new team-mates play and how they complement each other.

“It was good to have Eggert back and fit, and Jamille Matt started for the first time at Highbury Stadium for nearly a year.

“There were loads of positives, as there have been in other games. We are happy we have got to this stage of pre-season and we have got the majority of the squad fit and ready to go against Southend.”

Fleetwood: Maxwell, McLaughlin, Andrew, Bell, Jordan, Jonsson (Sowerby 85), Sarcevic, Ryan, Matt (Hunter 70), McManus (Sanogo 70), Grant (Della Verde 70); Not used: Haughton, Wright, Cartwright, Forbes, Arestidou.