Pete Wild all smiles as Fleetwood win again

Pete Wild says Fleetwood are playing with a “smile on their faces” after their 4-1 win over Accrington made it back-to-back victories.

Mark Helm’s early strike and free-kicks from Phoenix Patterson and Mackenzie Hunt, in addition to Conor Grant’s own goal, sealed a comfortable win.

Head coach Wild, whose side are six points off the play-offs, said: “Let’s just see where it takes us now.

“We are at the bare bones in terms of numbers, the lads keep churning out performances, the longer they can do that – and keep playing with freedom and enjoying their football – we will see what happens.

“I am really pleased with the win. We had to match their effort and intensity and we did that.

“We controlled the game and imposed ourselves well. We took a deserved early lead and we should have been out of sight on 20 minutes.

“They started the second half well, they put us on the back foot and then it was disappointing to give them a way back into the game.

“We changed our shape and when we got the second goal, I felt in complete control.

“Full credit to the players, they have been outstanding in the last two games. They look like they are playing with smiles on their faces, they are free and enjoying their football. I am so proud of them.”

Town took the lead on nine minutes when midfielder Helm got the ball in the area, made space and fired low into the net.

Fleetwood dominated in terms of chances but Stanley started the second half well and equalised through Ben Woods’ 18-yard strike on 52 minutes.

The Cod Army came back with Patterson’s 30-yard free-kick nestling into the bottom of the net.

Grant headed into his own goal from Matty Virtue’s cross on 85 minutes and then Hunt curled home a free-kick on 90 minutes to complete the scoring.

Stanley are still in a relegation fight in 21st, six points clear of the bottom two and without a win in four games.

Boss John Doolan said: “It wasn’t us, you wouldn’t have thought it was a local Derby. I was disappointed with the way we started the game, we were a million miles away.

“The first goal we conceded was poor. We made changes at half-time and responded well and then it looked like a derby. We had the pressure and got our reward with a good goal from Ben Woods.

“We got back in the game but defensively we have to deal with their goals better. It was frustrating as we just didn’t show our true selves.

“We had some harsh words in the dressing room, which will remain in there, but we have to pick ourselves up. We are back in the dogfight. It was poor.”