In the first league fixture of 2013, Blackpool Men’s 1 swept aside local rivals Lytham 2’s romping home to an 8-0 win.
On a chilly day at Stanley Park, Blackpool dominated the game from the start and it was only a matter of time before they took the lead. Despite a touch of rustiness from the Christmas break, Blackpool passed the ball across the field, utilizing the full width of the pitch wherever possible. Lytham were camped in their own half and looked to break on the counter attack, however the intense pressure from the Blackpool midfield cramped out much of the visitors play. James Slater found a lot of space down the right wing, and combined with Dave Morgan to open the scoring for Blackpool. As Slater cut the ball back, Morgan was waiting and accurately placed the ball out of the goalkeepers reach. Morgan turned provider for Blackpool’s second as he linked up with Ian Swaine, whose initial flick rebounded off the post back into his path for a simple tap in. Lytham fought hard to keep Blackpool at bay, but after multiple penalty corners, the home side found a way through as Rob Dingle converted Ian Swaine’s lay-off. A controversial penalty corner only minutes later put Blackpool 4-0 as former Lytham player Richard Blacow’s drag flick powered through the goalkeepers legs.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Blackpool dictating the tempo of the game. A rare Lytham attack resulted in a penalty corner, but as this broke down, it left their defence heavily exposed and within seconds, Steve Whitley got himself on the scoresheet finishing off an excellent passing move. Blackpool took the conventional route for their next two goals; both coming from their own penalty corners. Firstly Whitley battled to get the ball back from a Lytham defender, and squared it to Rob Abbott just outside the Lytham area. His first time ball to Swaine opened up a narrow shooting angle, which Swaine gratefully accepted as his reverse shot flew in off the post. Whitley soon made it seven when he intercepted a clearance from the Lytham keeper and slapped the ball home into an empty net, despite the Lytham protests to the umpire for a foul on the goalkeeper. Blackpool had saved the best till last as a sweeping move involving multiple players culminated in James Slater again finding space down the right. His powerful cross was pin-point accurate for Morgan’s well timed run, who in turn hammered the ball into the roof of the net with his first touch.
Blackpool, still with a worrying injury list, face the daunting task of a trip to league leaders Windermere next week, with any hope of a top 3 finish hinging on the result.
© Rob Dingle 13/1/13