Back in Div 3 Blackpool found themselves up against old foes Lancaster Uni and their history of high scoring close games continued.
Despite Blackpool making the early pressure it was the students who scored first when scrambling in a shot from a short corner. Blackpool continued to attack and won their own short corner which was duly despatched by Dave Morgan, the club’s top scorer.
A mistake by Blackpool’s veteran defender Pete Latimer gave the ball back to Lancaster just outside the D and they were able to make a couple of passes for an easy tap-in. Once again Blackpool had to come from behind and they quickly did with another short corner, this time scored by Steve Whitley.
There were injuries to both Kieran Harris and Adam George during the first half so both subs were used early on, but this proved no distraction to the team. It was another short corner that gave Blackpool the deserved lead, when Ian Swaine fed Mike Thom a yard from goal.
The second half started perfectly when an attack down the left led to Ian Swaine shooting at range, with an unlucky Lancaster defender deflecting past his own keeper. Perhaps doubly unlucky as this reporter thought the ball had hit a Blackpool foot in midfield early in the move but it was missed by the umpires.
More injuries for Blackpool as Pete Latimer had to hobble off, but the previous players’ injuries had proved to be temporary, so no need to ask the watching Joe Boniface to come out of his early retirement. Blackpool pulled out a three goal lead from yet another short corner. Kieran Harris wasn’t allowed the time for a drag flick, so instead he kept possession and got a pass off to Steve Whitley whose shot flew into the back of the net.
Harris himself came off after a hit on his ankle, the Blackpool players started to tire and perhaps became slightly complacent. The game opened up and more mistakes crept into the game. Lancaster managed to score two goal from short corners which led to a nervous last few minutes for Blackpool. Captain Nick Rainbow made a vital save and he could finally celebrate the sides’s return to Div 3 with a 5-4 win. Rob Dingle, on his league debut for Blackpool after his defection from rivals Lytham, was voted Man of the Match.
(c) Peter Latimer 25/9/11