Blackpool Men’s first team climbed a place in North West Division 2 with a comfortable 6-2 win away at Lancaster University Mens First team. Just as last week, Blackpool started off faster than the home side with most of the team showing some great movement and composure whilst the “high man”, Ian Swaine, stayed firmly planted to the Lancaster area. This tactic proved to be beneficial to the team as it was to be the striker who scored first after firing past the keeper at his near post who seemed dazed as to what was going on.
After some more great play by the visitors, and a reminder to Swaine from veteran Rob Abbott, that “D-to-D” didn’t mean either side of it, Blackpool once again capitalised on some slack marking with a long ball played into Swaine to set up a 1-on-1 scenario with the goalkeeper. His attempted lob ended up trickling the ball into the path of a diving Steve Whitley to tap in at the far post to give Blackpool a two goal lead at half time. Blackpool made the most of their break and scored almost instantly from the restart with Dave Morgan netting his 8th of the season with a neat reverse stick volley, after being set up by Swaine. The onslaught continued with some great play from Jay Currey and Morgan around the Lancaster area before Swaine rifled home a reverse shot past the ineffective Lancaster goalkeeper
With most of the team pushing on looking on for more goals, Lancaster turned over possession and quickly countered. Two quick goals, despite protests from the Blackpool defence of some illegal manoeuvers, brought the students back into the game. Any thought of a comeback was soon quashed when Josh Payne restored a three goal advantage with a smart deflection after Rob Dingle’s great ball in from the right. As the game neared an end there was just enough time for another goal as Sam Bury added, ghosting in at the back post. Next week sees Blackpool visiting Chester as they continue their climb up the table.
Report by Rob Dingle