Blackpool’s third team took on Kendal’s second team, missing 2 first choice centre backs so with Phil Weir called out of retirement to partner fellow veteran Craig Nutter at the back.
The first half saw Blackpool create the majority of the chances only to be denied by a combination of good goalkeeping and some wasteful finishing, not least a penalty flick that was ballooned high over the bar. Kendal always remained a threat on the break and it was them who broke the deadlock. A short corner strike appeared to be heading safely wide before a Blackpool defender attempting to clear the ball, only succeeded in deflecting it into his own goal.
Blackpool felt unfortunate to be behind at the break but buoyed by a half time team talk in which captain Matt Atherton reminded the team of the benefits of staying in the correct positions, Blackpool came out fast at the start of the second half and within 2 minutes levelled the score, a shot on the turn from Martin Hayes too powerful for the Kendal goalkeeper. 3 minutes later and Blackpool were ahead, a Blackpool short corner found its way to Matt Atherton at the top of the D and although his strike, whilst not being the cleanest, found its way into the goal. Kendal’s goalkeeper perhaps unsighted by Martin Hayes stood directly in front of him.
This double strike prompted Kendal to throw more players forward than had previously been the case and they started to put the Blackpool defence under more pressure. It took a couple of saves from Toby Jeffrey and some last ditch defending to keep Blackpool ahead. Then at the other end, another Blackpool short corner, a drag flick from Matt Atherton, a partial stop from the Kendal keeper but not enough to keep the ball out the goal, 3-1 to Blackpool. This crucial third goal seemed to take the momentum out of the Kendal attack and Blackpool were comfortably able to see the game out, playing the vast majority of the final 10 minutes in the attacking third.
Final score 3-1 to Blackpool who registered their 4th victory on the bounce and in the process reached to the dizzy heights of 2nd in Division 6 North/North.
Blackpool’s man of the match was debutant Jacob Lyons.