‘Pool Progress To Semis

The South West Challenge Cup is a bizarre competition. You’re only supposed to be allowed three subs a game, but Blackpool made seven tonight. Qualification for the knock out stages isn’t settled by goal difference should teams be tied on points, but by penalty shoot out. And, in penalty shoot outs, goalkeepers from both sides have to take a penalty in the first five!

And it was by penalties that the Seasiders secured a place in the semi finals tonight after a 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock.

The ‘Pool team tonight read: Gilks, Eardley, Evatt, Baptiste, Crainey, Martin, Adam, Vaughan, Euell, Jeffers, Taylor-Fletcher.

Euell opened the scoring after 24 minutes after collecting a Jeffers through ball and firing home.

Ian Holloway’s injury problems got worse though just minutes later when trialist Malaury Martin limped out of the game, being replaced by Ishmel who impressed yet again.

After a flurry of ‘Pool changes at half time, Kilmarnock found themselves level ten minutes into the second half.

Brett Ormerod gave away a penalty which was converted by Jamie Hammill.

With twenty minutes to go though, the Seasiders went ahead after Ishmel and Lewis Almond combined well for the latter to fire home.

Craig Bryson equalised again though for Kilmarnock after an error by Ian Evatt.

And so the game went to penalties. Matt Gilks saved one of Killie’s five, whilst Gilks, Ormerod, Edwards, Southern and Evatt all scored theirs for the Seasiders to secure a 5-4 victory.

Blackpool now face Leyton Orient in the semi finals on Saturday.