Blackpool 2s ended up on the wrong-end of a 4-1 scoreline away at table-toppers Fylde 1s.
Anticipating a tough match Blackpool came out all gun’s blazing straight from the whistle and it wasn’t long until Will Pickles put the away side ahead within the opening ten minutes. A great passing move had strung out the Fylde defence and Pickles found himself open at the back post and was able to stroke the ball home much to the dismay of the home contingent. The goal, however, seemed to be the awakening that the league-leaders required as straight after a change in formation allowed Fylde to cut out Blackpool’s passing routes through the midfield and pegged the away side back into their own half. Stoic defending by Blackpool’s back four, including an airborne goal-line clearance by Man of the Match Niall Bancroft and several key interceptions by Andy Mortimer and Kieran Ablett, kept their lead in tact. The mounting Fylde pressure did eventually tell though and when a ball hit the foot in the D a penalty flick was awarded which was duly dispatched to level the scores. Shortly after Fylde took the lead when a well worked short-corner was drag-flicked high into the goal to make it 2-1 and this was how it remained at half-time.
Blackpool players were treated to double haribo at the interval in the hope to spur them on to turn the score around. The sugar initially looked to have done the trick as the away side dominated possession during the opening encounters of the second half however they weren’t able to make this count and couldn’t find a way past the solid Fylde defensive back-line. At the other end, despite being comfortable at the back Fylde managed to grab a third goal as the ball sneaked over the line (who needs goal-line technology when sportsmanship is a plenty?!) and as Blackpool’s frustrations grew the home side further extended their lead when Stan Morrison conceded a second penalty flick of the game for a deliberate foot in the D.
The full time score of 4-1 extends Blackpool 2s winless streak to four games and they will be looking to put that right at home to Southport’s second string next Saturday