Blackpool’s third team were defeated 3-1 away to Leyland and Chorley’s third team.
In a battle between the bottom 2 sides, it was Leyland and Chorley who started the better. Blackpool were struggling to find cohesion in their midfield which allowed Leyland and Chorley to control the majority of possession. However, as is often the case with Blackpool, things improved as the first half wore on and after 15 minutes a better passage of play resulted in a Blackpool short corner. The original strike on goal was mis hit but Blackpool managed to retain possession and the ball was played to Matthew Atherton unmarked in front of goal who coolly beat the keeper to give Blackpool the lead. On 25 minutes Leyland and Chorley equalised. The ball was played to a striker in the Blackpool D who laid it off to a midfielder at the top of the D who unleashed a strike into the top corner of the goal leaving the Blackpool keeper with no chance. 1-1 at half time.
The second half was an even affair with chances at both ends, Keiffer Walker-Earnshaw and Ashlie Swann-Holmes both going close for Blackpool while Toby Jeffrey kept the scores level with some vital saves in the Blackpool goal. The decisive moment came on 55 minutes when a Leyland and Chorley strike from the top of the D deflected off a Blackpool defensive stick and looped over the Blackpool goalkeeper into the goal. Blackpool pushed forwards in search of an equaliser, pushing an extra man from defence into midfield with Leyland and Chorley content to pack the defence and play on the counter. Blackpool’s best chance fell to Matt Atherton who shot on the spin with the Leyland and Chorley keeper out of his goal but lost his bearings and fired wide. With 2 minutes remaining, as Blackpool continued to push forwards with increasing desperation, Leyland and Chorley counter attacked and scored a decisive third goal putting the result beyond doubt. Final score 3-1 to Leyland and Chorley.
With third from bottom Kendal also winning, Blackpool now face an uphill struggle to avoid the Division 6 North North wooden spoon.
Blackpool’s Man of the Match was Joe Neath