One inch the other way and Fleetwood Town would have slain a giant.
Fleetwood Town very nearly pulled off an upset win at home to Leicester City in the FA Cup third round.
A groin injury kept ex-Fleetwood striker Jamie Vardy from featuring in the tie, but a goalless draw means the sharpshooter could play in the replay at the King Power Stadium. Vardy was sorely missed as he watched his team fail to muster up a single shot on target throughout the duration of the game.
In Vardy’s absence, it was actually a former Leicester City man who dominated focus for a large portion of the game. Towering Irish defender Cian Bolger put in some shift for the League One outfit. The Celbridge man won seven aerial duals, but unfortunately, he lacked the finishing prowess to grab a goal for his efforts.
Another Fleetwood player who shone in the game was Ashley Hunter. The 22-year-old had a lively afternoon and very nearly scored a dramatic winner in the final minutes of the game. After picking the ball up about 40 yards out, Hunter sold a delightful turn to cut inside and make space for a crack at the goal.
His shot was deflected off a defender, but he generated enough force to direct it goalward. The home fans rose to their feet as it beat the keeper, but that pesky post denied them a memorable win. Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic mopped up after the ball ricocheted off the woodwork.
Fleetwood Town came agonisingly close to knocking Leicester out of the #FACup pic.twitter.com/8o50fzQ02V
— Ben Kiely (@TheJivemaster) January 6, 2018
The home support didn’t seem to care about the chance not being converted though. They celebrated the result as if it was a victory after the final whistle blew.
