Blackpool 3’s had their longest journey to an away game with a 220 mile round trip to play Keswick in Cockermouth as their first game of the season.
With the usual selection issues, there was only the minimum 11 players, with just two seniors to compliment the developing youngsters. However they were a match for the more experienced Keswick side and were unlucky not to come away with any points.
An early goal was conceded, with the defence still learning to play with it wasn’t long before Blackpool were attacking, with Joe Neath and Keiffer Earnshaw in midfield and linking with Ashlie Holmes and Oli McVicor in attacking positions. An early short corner led to the equaliser when Keiffer Earnshaw struck a shot at goal which took a deflection from a defender.
A couple of mistakes in the defence when trying to clear the ball led to goals from Keswick and a 3-1 lead at half-time. The second half was more even, and Blackpool’s attacks regularly reached the edge of the D, but Keswick had some strong defenders and chances to shoot were rare.
It was Keswick who scored the next goal, after a solo run from one of their veteran players managed to elude both of Blackpool’s old(er) players, Pete Latimer in defence and Craig Nutter in goal. Blackpool heads didn’t drop and it wasn’t long before a counter attack led to Ashlie Holmes strike on goal was about to cross the line when Oli McVicor’s striker’s instinct took over and he helped it along and claimed the goal as technically his, although morally it belonged to Holmes.
At 4-2 down Blackpool could have scored again, and had a shot hit the post, another go wide when there was an open goal, and the younger legs had the advantage over the older opposition. But it was not to be, and Blackpool have to be encouraged by the performance.