Owls Swoop To Victory

The Seasiders went down for the fourth consecutive game last night as Sheffield Wednesday grabbed all three points with second half goals from Marcus Tudgay and Deon Burton.

Blackpool (4-4-2):
Rachubka
Baptiste – Edwards(C) – Evatt – Martin
GTF – Hendrie – Southern – Hammill
Gow – Kabba

Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2):
Grant
Buxton – Beevers – Wood – McMahon
Tudgay – McAlistar – O’Connor – Johnson
Burton – Clarke

The first half saw an even contest, with good opportunities at either end but ‘Pool were guilty of trying to pass the ball into the net when a lash at goal would’ve done the job. At the other end, Rob Edwards was having all sorts of problems with his marker – constantly being turned inside out – and The Owls created some decent chances, but found an inspired Paul Rachubka in the Blackpool goal, who let his doubters know all about his shot stopping ability.

I’m not sure what was said at half time, but whatever it was it certainly didn’t have the desired effect! Just after the hour mark, a poor clearance by Alex John-Baptiste presented a crossing oppurtunity for Esajas who found Tudgay unmarked at the back stick to head home – sending the 800 or so Wendies into raptures on the far side.

Grayson attempted to change the game with his substitutions; Stephen McPhee replaced GTF but found himself hobbling off after just three minutes after a heavy challenge by Richard Wood: Ben Burgess took his place.

We never really created that many clear-cut chances but when we did our lines were fluffed. Alan Gow had a glorious opening to equalise but tried to waltz his way around the Wednesday defence before shooting instead of smashing home.

And the visitors then showed their clear superiority, as they hit Rachubka’s bar and then killed the game by notching a second goal with just four minutes left…

Corner to Wednesday.
Baptiste off. Barker on.
Goal.
Back post.
In Barker’s position. Scored by Deon Burton.
Free header.
Shocking management.

So, four defeats on the bounce and the relegation places looming, times are hard at Bloomfield Road, and hope of beating Plymouth on Saturday are slim.