Blackpool 1-0 Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town were beaten narrowly by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in what was the first ever league meeting between the two sides this afternoon.The Tangerines went ahead just after the quarter hour mark courtesy of a cross deflecting in off a Fleetwood Town player. Town dominated the game from start to finish, with the Tangerines not having a shot on target, but ultimately Blackpool walked away with the three points.
Two talking points for FTFC saw Joe Davis had an effort cleared of the line in the first half and David Henen hitting the bar in the second.
Steven Pressley named the same starting line-up for the third game running, with the only change that of Jack Sowerby who replaced Ash Hunter on the bench.
Bright Samuel had the game’s first chance, when Mark Cullen played him in down the left before he shot just wide of Chris Maxwell’s goal.
In reply, Henen raced down the same flank for his side, and crossed for David Ball who was inches away from giving the Cod Army the lead.
Town were having the better of the chances, and Davis later saw a shot cleared off the line while Henen’s effort from a tight angle deflected onto the bar.
Pool went ahead however on 17 minutes as a cross from the right was cruelly put through the FTFC net by one of our own players.
The goal buoyed the hosts, and they broke forward again through Cullen who’s low cross was thwarted expertly at the front post by Davis.
Tariqe Fosu was a nuisance for the Tangerines’ defence, and created an opening for himself before the break when he cut inside and shot low at Dean Lyness from distance.
Town started the second half brightly and saw plenty of the ball; Jimmy Ryan going the closest with a shot from the edge of the area.
Henen hit the bar for the second time on the hour mark when his strike from the right cannoned back off the upright.
Former Blackpool man Bobby Grant, who had scored two in his last two games, came off the bench in place of Fosu on 65 minutes.
And the winger got involved almost immediately, as he tested Lyness from long range with a stinging drive.
Both Jamie Proctor and Nick Haughton were introduced by Pressley as Town rallied for an equaliser in front of the strong travelling support.
Haughton and Sarcevic linked up well on the edge of the box with five minutes to play, and the former’s effort was saved brilliantly by Lyness.