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Blackpool took on Urmston at home, on the back of a 4 game unbeaten run however with a number of 1st team players unavailable the team knew the match would be tough. Urmston started the game in a confident fashion, slick passing and movement forcing Blackpool on to the back foot. Even so, Blackpool showed determination and steadily but surely worked themselves into the game, with the midfield trio of Whitley, Goudie and O’Hara, breaking up the attacks and starting counter attacks.
This new found play resulted in Blackpool playing too far up the pitch and a swift counter attack by Urmston brought the 1st goal. Blackpool didn’t let their heads go down and continued to play their hockey but unfortunately couldn’t seem to get the ball into the oppositions D.
Half time and it was still 1 – nil with Blackpool well in the game. With temporary stand in Captain Morgan asking for more pass and move play, Blackpool started the 2nd half on a par with their opposition. Unfortunately lax marking and a goalkeeping blunder by Kilshaw soon saw Blackpool 3 – 0 down. This amazingly appeared to inspire the Blackpool side to start playing better hockey and with James Slater and Simon Thomas marauding down the wings, they had a number of changes saved in the D by the Goalkeeper and last ditch defending by the Urmston defenders. Blackpool finally got on the scoresheet when Whitley fed the ball to Slater, who flicked the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper for what seemed his 4th goal of the season until Morgan, in a rush of blood, touched the ball before it crossed the line (sorry!).
Blackpool confidence was now flowing and they continued to attack with any counter attacks calmly broken up by Mistry, Boniface and Lester. However, Urmston finally made a break through when a number of ricochets in the D led to their player reverse flicking the ball into the net.
Blackpool managed to get another consolation goal through Whitley, calmly flicking into the net from a well worked short corner. Blackpool continued to battle to the final whistle but couldn’t make the pressure count.
Blackpool continue in their battle for safety next week away at Winnington Park.