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Another freezing day, but Stanley Park’s pitch was free of frost and playing beautifully, and Dave Morgan had bought a new pair of gloves to keep his little hands warm after frost-bite on the Wirrall the previous week.
Blackpool struggled to generate real pressure early on, with South Lakes energetically chasing the ball, however after several short corners it was Blackpool who broke the deadlock with a Dave Morgan goal.
South Lakes won many short corners of their own but didn’t manage to convert any, although were unlucky when they hit the post twice before Pete Latimer cleared off the line. And so, at the break there was only a single goal difference.
With an inspiring team talk, especially from vice captain Steve Whitley, Blackpool came out firing. After a free hit was awarded just outside the opposition D, Kieran Harris dribbled it around the edge until he had travelled the compulsory five yards, then entered the D and crossed the ball to the p-spot where Ian Swaine was on hand to despatch the ball into the goal.
Blackpool thought they had wrapped up the game when minutes later they went 3-0 up through a fantastic subtle touch by Morgan at the top of the D whilst under pressure from his man-marker, following a through ball by Harris. However after consultation between the umpires the goal was disallowed, much to Morgan’s dismay.
South Lakes continued to play and attacked through the middle of the park, and won a string of short corners. Nick Rainbow pulled off several important saves, but eventually they managed to score from one of these short corners.
With Blackpool’s lead down to one goal, and South Lakes in the ascendancy, there was some nervousness in the Blackpool ranks. However a great counter-attacking goal was scored when Dan Woodman took the ball out of defence and passed the ball right up the pitch to Morgan who passed to the advancing Swaine, who rounded one defender and was able to bypass the goalie with a short pass to Morgan to score in front of an open goal.
Blackpool kept their lead to finish 3-1 winners, and are amazed that South Lakes haven’t won more games since they are a good solid team. Arch-rivals Lymm visit Blackpool next week for the first of a string of tough must-win games.
(c) Peter Latimer 12/2/12