3 Points For Pool At Court

Well, not a bad start to the festive period for Blackpool who swept relegation threatened Bournemouth away in a 3-1 win at Dean Court in front of 5758 supporters.

Manager Simon Grayson had to switch the team around slightly, with key players, Keith Southern and Wes Hoolahan missing out through injury and suspension respectively. Marcus Bean replaced ‘Gnashers` whilst Claus Jorgensen started against his former employers because of Hoolahan`s fifth booking of the campaign. This meant the team lined up as:

Rhys Evans
Shaun Barker Ian Evatt Michael Jackson Andy Wilkinson
Adrian Forbes Marcus Bean David Fox Claus Jorgensen
Andy Morrell Keigan Parker

The Cherries started the game brightly with prolific front man, James Hayter coming close in the early stages along with team mate, Sam Vokes.

On this cold and crisp afternoon, The Seasiders were finding it hard to get going as Darren Anderton continually carved open the backline and presented glorious opportunities for both Steve Fletcher and James Hayter once again, but they both fired straight at Blackpool goalkeeper, Rhys Evans.

This lead to gaffer Grayson pulling his hair out as his side failed to get any grip on the match. As was said on the radio, the team had travelled down last night, so had had time to rest before the game, so really there were no excuses for a slow start against a poor Cherries side who are struggling.

In a fairly uneventful half, Blackpool`s two chances were the only things to happen from twenty minutes onwards, when on 20 Claus Jorgensen`s long rang free kick was deflected wide, and nippy striker Keigan Parker was foiled by Neil Moss in the home goal as he skipped through on goal.

Half Time (a dull half at that!): Bournemouth 0 – 0 Blackpool

Ninety seconds into the second period, Blackpool took the lead. The lively Adrian Forbes flew down the right hand side before slipping Parker in and this time he made no mistake as he tucked home for a 1-0 lead to the away side.

On 52 minutes, Keigan Parker added his ninth of the season, as the ball fell to him in The Cherries` box, and without thinking he curled home an absolute corker past Moss to make the game seemingly safe.

The hosts had two huge chances to hit back at The Seasiders. First Steve Fletcher hit the woodwork, whilst they had a goal disallowed when Rhys Evans was fouled from a corner.

The Bournemouth goalkeeper, Neil Moss was in inspired form as he stopped Parker and Fox from adding to the Blackpool lead, and was trying to keep some credibility to the score line.

With twenty minutes remaining, AFCB were sent down to ten men when former England international, Darren Anderton was shown his second booking and subsequently sent from the pitch. Some Blackpool players showed great sportsmanship to try and persuade the referee not to send Anderton off.

The ‘Pool made their first chance shortly after as Ben Burgess came on to replace Claus Jorgensen with Andy Morrell switching to the wing.

Four minutes after that – with eight left – former Blackpool man, Simon Gillett scored when he struck the ball past Evans and put Bournemouth back in with a shout, although they only had ten men.

But as the home side flooded forward in search of an equaliser, the mighty managed to hit them on the counter. Great interplay by Parker and Burgess created a chance for youngster David Fox (isn`t he coming along nicely now?) who slotted home to seal the points.

Fox was then denied by a smart save by Moss shortly after Scott Vernon had replaced the excellent Parker. Also, Forbes gave way for Paul Tierney.

Full time: AFC Bournemouth 1 – 3 Blackpool

This result had briefly seen The Seasiders occupy 6th spot (yes, you read correct!) but for an injury time equaliser for Swansea at home to Rotherham United. Just a point of sixth, will we be there before the start of January?

The Table…
1 Nottm Forest 23 44
2 Scunthorpe 23 42
3 Bristol City 23 41
4 Oldham 23 39
5 Swansea 23 36
6 Tranmere 22 36
7 Blackpool 23 35