Blackpool Firsts Bounce Back while Thirds Winning Streak Continues

Blackpool Firsts Bounce Back while Thirds Winning Streak Continues

 Mens 1’s

 Blackpool Men’s firsts bounced back with a 5-3 win over Mossley Hill after defeats in the previous two weeks. The new look side, once again due to injury, featuring Josh Payne on debut made an impressive start to the match dominating possession on a sunny day at Stanley Park. Despite a few mis-communications as the team began to gel, Blackpool carved out chance after chance and finally took the lead from a penalty corner. Richard Blacow’s drag flick proved too powerful for the Mossley keeper and Blackpool took a deserved lead. Whereas the first was a result of great team play, Blackpool’s second came from individual brilliance. Ian Swaine jinked his way past several Mossley defenders before unleashing a fierce reverse stick shot which nestled in off the right post. As the half drew on, the visitors began to play themselves into the match, and pulled a goal back after a ball into the heart of the Blackpool defence wasn’t cleared. Blackpool quickly restored their two goal lead after Chris Hocking was on hand to poke home from a yard after a fortunate deflection lobbed the oncoming Mossley goalkeeper.

The second half followed a very similar pattern to the first, with Blackpool looking the more composed side on the ball, but Mossley threatened on the counter. Dave Morgan came off the bench to offer something different up front and made an immediate impact by slotting the ball past the advancing goalkeeper to extend Blackpool’s lead to three goals. Mossley hit back in controversial fashion when a breakaway resulted in the ball in the back of the goal, despite protests from the Blackpool defenders they were obstructed by a runner off the ball. James Slater rounded off an excellent game by smashing home Blackpool’s fifth to secure the victory, but Mossley pinched a consolation again amid controversy as Blackpool argued their case that no player touched the ball in the area. However the goal stood, and Blackpool were happy not only with the three points, but the promising performances from their younger players, and remain in 4th place in Division 3.

Men 2’s

WIth the club’s injury problem cascading down the teams, the second team travelled to Bolton to play their thirds with just 11 and several of the up and coming youngsters.  They held their own in the first half as it remained  scoreless and young Sam Robinson impressed on the left wing.  Unfortunately it unravelled in the second half with Bolton scoring seven without reply, despite goalkeeper Graeme Kilshaw’s best efforts, and so the team remain in mid-table 7th in Division 5.

Mens 3’s

Once again there was a much changed side for Blackpool thirds due to the club injury problems. However Chris Pickles was someone who actually returned from injury and he was key in helping Blackpool pick up 3 points.
The first 20 minutes was stalemate before Didsbury took a surprise lead, however Martin Hayes poked home a Pickles shot. Pool took a 2-1 lead into the break after Hayes scored at the third attempt at a penalty corner.

After the break, Ollie Tomlinson scored his first senior goal, as the thirds extended their lead. Chris Pickles wrapped up the points 10 minutes from time. Hayden Laybourne and Brent Whiteside impressed on debut, but newly appointed Lancashire U14 captain Ciaran Johnson was the man of the match for a solid display.