North End goalkeeper Mathew Hudson told iFollow this evening that he will be fully prepared should any opportunity come his way this season.
The young shot stopper was called upon by Alex Neil tonight - with Declan Rudd still out injured, Chris Maxwell was also left out as a precautionary measure with the new season looming next week, and the Academy Graduate more than held his own tonight by keeping the hosts at bay on several occasions.
Hudson, who turns 19 this Saturday is more than aware that a similar opportunity may arise at some point during the season, and the shot stopper declared that he will be more than ready to step up to the plate.
"I really enjoyed tonight," said Hudson after the game. "Pre-season has been tough, but with the injuries it's allowed me to step up a little bit and hopefully I've taken my chance.
"I've known that for the past year that as a young goalkeeper, you've got to be ready for anything that comes your way. It happened at Elland Road where I made my debut when I was called upon on that day and I had to produce and I did.
"You've always got to be on your toes and ready for anything to come your way."
Mat was certainly kept on his toes in the first half of tonight's encounter where he was forced into action on a number of occasions to deny Fleetwood of increasing their 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from Cian Bolger on 16 minutes.
With the score still at 1-0, it took a towering header from Paul Huntington on the stroke of half-time to draw North End level, and as busy as Hudson was in the first half, in the second half he was barely required with PNE scoring four unanswered goals to ensure they concluded their pre-season fixture list in style with a 5-1 victory.
"That's what it's all about really as a keeper," said Hudson on two contrasting halves. "You have to stay alert at all times and be ready for anything that comes your way.
"You're still involved in the game as a 'keeper as you've still got to be vocal and I still had to do quite a lot of kicking as well. Obviously the conditions had an impact tonight with the wet, slippy surface so you've got to bear that in mind.
"I had a fair few saves in the first half to make. We managed to get that goal at the end of the first half which put us in really good stead for the second half. At 1-0 I made quite a vital save which could have proved key in the result.
"Considering the start of the season is next week, tonight was perfect to get us in good stead for then."
To watch Mat's interview in full, watch the video above on iFollow.