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Was a fair result coz our umpire was extremely stern with everyone. Blackpool came into this game expecting harsh challenges, harsh words and harsh decisions and the game didnt dissappoint with a strong tackle from Paco in the first 5 minutes leading to a head to head face off fortunately no fisticuffs came out and no one was carded and the game carried on. Leigh piled on the pressure but Blackpools defence stayed strong with the midfield tracking back. Leigh opened the scoring first from a short corner that went through Rainbows legs. Blackpool keeping their heads were now more motivated to get a goal and with immense passing movement merking the Leigh defence Martin took a very rare STRIKE at goal and it stormed in by the near post. Martin seemed happy as he through his stick down to the ground cheering. Leigh had a man yellow carded for back chatting and even though Leigh were down to 10 men Blackpool couldnt capitalise. When he came back on the pitch however it showed as he went on a blistering run and hit the sweetest of strikes only to be denied by the bar and the follow up hit over Rainbow just shugged his shoulders. With countless more efforts in the first half and another yellow card which turned into the player missing the whole match the score was still 1 – 1 at half time. An inspired team talk at half time from captain Alex Rowe spurred the Blackpool team on andeen taken a switch in short corner tactics was jey as Matthew Atherton slipped the ball to Simon Allen who slotted the ball past the keeper with only 5 minutes gone in the second half. Blackpool piled on the pressure but decision werent going their way as James Kerry and Phil Taylor both got carded. It showed on the pitch that Blackpool were down players as Leigh went on a more attacking route and got the equalising goal with a hard driven pass going across goal and the Leigh striker sweeping the ball into the top corner a well worked goal. Blackpool re-grouped when players returned to the pitch but chances were missed by Chris Hocking and Jay Currey which left the score 2-2 and full time but could’ve been a win for Blackpool if the chances had been taken. With another 2 points lost to leaders Bury, Blackpool stay second ahead of Leigh. With a 5 point gap and everything to play for Blackpool need to win every game to secure promotion; but it looks like it will go right down to the wire with the last game of the season away at Leigh.
By Nick Rainbow