‘Pool Lose in Last Ten

What a mess that last ten minutes was for the Seasiders, as they surrendered a one goal lead to lose 3-1 against table toppers West Brom.

Blackpool (4-4-2):
Rachubka
Barker © – Evatt – Gorkss – Crainey
Hoolahan – Flynn – Jorgensen – GTF
Burgess – McPhee

West Brom (4-4-2):
Kiely
Hoefkens – Albrechtsen – Clement – Robinson
Koren – Pele – Greening © – Brunt
Moore – Miller

Simon Grayson’s men totally bossed the first half as the sought to get in amongst the FA Cup semi finalists after a spell of slight pressure from the away side.

Ben Burgess headed a Stephen Crainey freekick onto the bar, and the following shot from Wes Hoolahan seemed to hit a hand in the box, but the referee gave a corner.

The spell of pressure from Blackpool eventually led to a goal and it came from another Crainey freekick and it was that man again, Ben Burgess, who headed home the opening goal after 34 minutes.

Kaspars Gorkss could have extended the lead, but the half ended 1-0.

After the break, with West Brom changes afoot, the away side kept the ball much better than they had done and looked to pin the Seasiders back – which they did with great effect.

Blackpool threatened briefly on the counter attack but the game was played mainly in our half, and it was just a matter of time before West Brom scored. However, The Baggies front man Miller was lucky to stay on the pitch, as a sliding tackle with studs showing caught Ian Evatt, but went unnoticed and unpunished by the referee; the first of his bizarre decisions.

With 15 minutes left, man of the match Stephen McPhee came off for a laboured-looking Paul Dickov, and then the madness started. Firstly, Carl Hoefkens dived in the box under a Stephen Crainey challenge to earn his side a penalty. Substitute Kevin Phillips stepped up and scored. 1-1 after 80.

And it was 2-1 after 84. Miller took the ball from his own half to the byline and squared it to Philips who tapped in on the goal line, and proceeded to wind the Pool fans up.

The game was safe after 87, when Miller himself capitalised on some shaky communication at the back to hit home the third.

The less said about that game the better.