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The pitch was in as good condition as it has ever been before and Blackpool were playing Daten, bottom of the table still yet without a win, so it was the best possible scenario for the Tangerines to gain some valuable points and improve their goal difference.
And they delivered! With a full strength side Blackpool took an early command, giving little room for error by a pressed Daten mid-field and defence. Wave after wave of attacking play down both flanks by Whitley and L. Morrow eventually forced a short corner. A well drilled outfit saw a shot illegally blocked on the line and a penalty flick was awarded. New flick taker, Woodman, looking confident stepped up and duly dispatched before the keeper could react.
However, the score shoud have been more than 1-0 and impatience was beginning to infect the home side with stern words from all mouths. A rare break saw a quick Daten attacker speed into the D only to be taken out by Gerard, Abbott and keeper Kilshaw. Another penalty flick was awarded, a chance to level the scores for the visitors. Kilshaw, rarely facing a penalty flick and with a recent slight dip in form, did himself proud with a fine, almost athletic save.
After another break by Daten the ball was thrust out of the half by a blinding run by L. Morrow and a superb pass to Mortimer, saw a shot rifled at the keeper which rebounded towards Morgan who doubled the score. It was a wlecome return to the quick play Blackpool is famous for, 2 passes, D to D and a goal to show for it.
Soon after another goal by Morgan gave the home side a decent cushion going in to the second half.
The second half saw changes in attack with Mortimer coming off for Chadwick and Whitley coming off for Boniface. Immediately Blackpool attacked with numbers. Morgan again getting on the score sheet. The passing was working well across the park and Daten were tiring very quickly.
A run into the D saw Captain K. Morrow drill a shot into the bottom right hand corner to make it. Minutes later, a superbly anticipated interception by Boniface on the reverse side saw him turn on a six pence, with two players already on him like a bad suit a shot was accurately placed inside the left post only for the goal to be disallowed as a short corner was awarded instead.
Throughout the half, the defence had little to do, with the occasional break to break down and drilling the ball forwards to give Morgan another two goals at close range.
(c) Joe Boniface