Match preview: Blackpool v Fleetwood Town

8 April 2024

Fleetwood Town travel down the road to local rivals Blackpool FC on Tuesday night, and in this preview, we tell you everything you need to know about the fixture.

Fixture: Blackpool v Fleetwood Town FC

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Tuesday 9 April

Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Venue: Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ

BLACKPOOL FC

In Blackpool’s recent clash at home to Cambridge United, the Tangerines were as comfortable as they could’ve been despite only a 1-0 scoreline - limiting the visitors to two shots on goal - a common theme for Tuesday night’s hosts as they prove a tough outfit to beat at home with a 57% win ratio at Bloomfield Road this year (21 games played, 12 wins).

Blackpool sit 6 points away from the final play-off spot which is occupied by Oxford United with four league games remaining, the Seasiders aren’t out of the equation to sneak into the playoffs, however they would require teams around them to make mistakes along the way - away form has been Blackpool’s Achilles heal this campaign with only winning 6 games on the road out of 21 played (28%) where the last time the two sides met it was an entertaining 3-3 draw at Highbury.

Since Blackpool’s premier league season in 2010/11, Tuesday’s hosts have spent 6 seasons in Sky Bet League One and with aims of being towards the top end of the table, head coach Neil Critchley will hope the current unbeaten run of four games will breed confidence to finish the season on a high.

Jordan Rhodes has been Blackpool’s key man this season with 15 goals and three assists to his name as the on-loan Huddersfield man is currently the leagues’ joint fifth highest scorer, the Scotsman’s best scoring returns since his time at Blackburn Rovers in 2015/16.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

On the 27 October 2018, Fleetwood hosted Blackpool at a sold-out Highbury Stadium where the performance on the pitch was nothing short of resilient, impressive and entertaining.

Wesley Burns opened the scoring four minutes in with current coach Ross Wallace doubling the advantage, Blackpool halved the deficit through Jordan Thompson, but Paddy Madden responded to put the score to 3-1.

Nathan Delfouneso then gave Blackpool a second but the score finished 3-2 to Fleetwood - a day fondly remembered by fans and staff around Fleetwood.

Wes v BFC.jpg

THOSE WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR BOTH

There has been a plethora of players that have made the short journey between their careers, here is a few unique examples we have found - can you remember any others?

Ashley Eastham

A figure Fleetwood fans will be fond of as you could rely on him to be punctual and dependable at the back, Eastham also found himself wearing the captains armband on occasions throughout his 135 appearances for the Cods.

Eastham started his career at Blackpool, however couldn’t break the first team, however, a one month loan at Fleetwood in 2012 was the first time he wore the red where five years later Eastham would rejoin Highbury with also winning player of the year in 2017.

Ashley eastham.jpg

Barry Ferguson

An individual known for his time with Scottish giants Rangers early in his career before making the move to England permanently in 2009, where he won the League cup in 2011 with Birmingham.

A move to Blackpool followed, where Ferguson was loaned to the Cods in a spell where he made six appearances at Highbury Stadium in 2012. He returned to Bloomfield and picked up a role of caretaker manager - Ferguson was capped by Scotland 45 times.

Chris Long

A product of Everton’s academy, Long has represented ten clubs since his departure from the Toffees, including a loan spell and a permanent move at the Cods and a move straight to Bloomfield after his time at Fleetwood was up.

This saw a move to Scotland followed to Motherwell where Crewe Alexandra in Sky Bet League Two bought Long and he’s now played the most games he has at one club in his career.

Chris Long.jpg

HEAR THE THOUGHTS FROM BOSS CHARLIE ADAM

Click HERE to hear what Adam himself had to say on the game coming up at Bloomfield Road

TICKET AND TRAVEL INFORMATION

Back the lads on the road on our shortest journey of the year as the Cods look to win at Bloomfield Road for the first time.

Trams, buses and local transport will be available for all supporters to use on the night around the Fylde Coast.

More information on travel and other information can be found here: https://www.blackpooltransport.com

Fleetwood Town fans have until 5pm on Tuesday 9 April to buy their tickets from the Town Ticket Office, with an option now available for supporters to buy on the night from the White Booth which will be located outside the away end.

Town supporters will located in the East Stand on the night, with ticket prices below as followed:

Adults – £25

Seniors – £21

Under-22s – £21

Under-18s – £11

Under-12s – £7

Fans are reminded that flares and smoke bombs are prohibited. Anyone found using them inside the ground may face a police or club sanction. Love Football, Protect the Game.

If you would like any more information regarding the ticket sales dates, prices, or any other general enquiries, you can contact our ticket office at Highbury Stadium by ringing 01253 775080 or you can email info@fleetwoodtownfc.com.

KEY IFOLLOW INFORMATION

With this match on Tuesday, supporters who are based in the United Kingdom and abroad will be able to watch the full 90 minutes for just £10 - meaning you won't miss any of the action!

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR IFOLLOW MATCH PASS!

On the evening of the game (Tuesday 9 April 2024), there will be two matchday packages available for our UK-based and overseas supporters:

Audio Match Pass - £2.50

Video Match Pass - £10.00*

*This pass is available for those who are based overseas and in the United Kingdom.

Those who choose the Audio Match Pass option will get access to just the commentary, which will be provided by our partners, BBC Radio Lancashire - with this being played on the Video Match Pass as part of the full package.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town narrowly lose out in the Fylde Coast Derby

9 April 2024

Fleetwood Town suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in Sky Bet League One.

The Cods created several late second half chances, but a first half header from Jake Beesley was enough to earn the home side all three points on the night.

The Cod Army had a golden chance to take the lead inside the opening ten minutes, when Promise Omochere found himself racing away towards goal but crucially failed to get a shot off from inside the area.

Fleetwood were showing promising signs of attacking intent as the game began to open up on a windy night at Bloomfield Road, first through Tommy Lonergan who saw his close range effort blocked before Gavin Kilkenny forced a corner with a powerful low drive.

But after knocking on the door Fleetwood were made to pay when the Seasiders opened the scoring moments later, after Beesley headed home a CJ Hamilton cross into the near post.

Buoyed after taking the lead, Blackpool came forward again and were closing to doubling that lead when George Byers hit a strong low strike that had to be well saved by Jay Lynch.

With half time on the horizon, Town had a good opportunity to level the scores when Omochere cleverly cut the ball across the area but nobody could arrive to apply the finishing touch - as Blackpool took a 1-0 lead into the break.

With work to do in the second half, Fleetwood continued their search for an equaliser with Omochere at the forefront of the attacking play again as he tried a looping header at the far post, before Blackpool came close to making it two-nil when Byers squeezed a shot narrowly wide at the other end.

That illusive equalising goal was proving hard to come by for Charlie Adam’ side as Bosun Lawal was next to try his luck from the edge of the area, before the Town boss introduced Ryan Graydon off the bench with 30 minutes left to play.

Moments later Lynch was forced to spring into action again making a great save with his feet to deny Beesley his and Blackpool’s second of the evening and keep Town in the tie.

Time was running out for Town and they were dealt another blow when Blackpool were awarded a penalty after Shayne Lavery was brought to ground inside the area. Lynch was there to deny the striker from 12 yards with an excellent penalty save to keep the score at 1-0 and give Fleetwood a fighting chance in the game.

The Cod Army must’ve thought they’d equalised twice in added time but somehow couldn’t level the scores. First, Lonergan headed in Phoenix Patterson’s delightful cross at the back post only for it to be judged offside before Dan Grimshaw produced a spectacular save to deny Graydon’s volley from point blank range.

After coming agonisingly close to equalising late on, Charlie Adam’s men were left empty handed at Bloomfield Road as the game finished 1-0.

Blackpool XI: Grimshaw (GK), Husband (C), Pennington, Byers, Carey (Morgan, 90’), Dembele (Virtue, 90’), Coulson, Beesley, (Kouassi, 85’), Lavery (Joseph, 85’), Ekpiteta, Hamilton.

Subs not used: O’Donnell (GK), Gabriel, Casey.

Town XI: Lynch (GK), Johnston (Quitirna, 85’), Wiredu (C), Lawal, Kilkenny (Graydon, 63’), Mayor, Broom (Patterson, 77’), Lonergan, Heneghan, Omochere (Stockley, 85’), Rooney (Campbell, 77’).

Subs not used: McMullan, Dolan.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Here's an update on Blackpool tickets ahead of Tuesday's match

8 April 2024

For supporters who have bought tickets for the Blackpool match on Tuesday 9 April, or who are waiting until the night, we've got all the key details you need to know ahead of the 7:45pm kick-off.

Have you purchased match tickets for the Fylde Coast Derby on Tuesday 9 April at Bloomfield Road, well don't worry if you haven't, we've got more details on how you can buy in advance or how to buy on the night for the away stand.

CLICK HERE TO BUY MATCH TICKETS ONLINE

Fleetwood Town Club Shop details

The Club Shop down at Highbury Stadium is open late on Monday 8 April until 6pm, giving the Cod Army enough time after work to get their match tickets for the Blackpool match.

With 35% off retail gear when you purchase your tickets, it's also the perfect chance for you to wear your Club colours on the night at Bloomfield Road.

On the day of the game - Tuesday 9 April - Fleetwood fans will have until 5pm to get their match tickets, with them off sale until 6:30pm when they'll be available outside the away end to buy with no price increase.

Buying tickets on the night

From 6:30pm on the night of the game, Fleetwood Town fans will be able to buy tickets for the game outsdie the away end via the White Booth. There will be no increase in ticket prices if you choose to buy on the night.

For supporters who have pre-purchased tickets but cannot collect in advance at the Club Shop, you will also collect these from the White Booth before the 7:45pm kick-off.

We advise supporters to get to Bloomfield Road as early as possible to ensure all are in the stands ahead of the first whistle.