‘Pool Survive Late Scare To Record Home Win

There’s an old saying in football; you can only beat what’s put in front of you. And that’s what Blackpool did earlier today as they celebrating winning back to back games in their opening two league fixtures for the first time since 1991.

Peterborough looked as poor a side as they were when they graced the Championship two years ago. Yes, they had chances, but largely it was through errors by the Seasiders rather than through good play.

On the other hand, it was another very encouraging display from the ‘Pool, with their copy book only blotted by conceding a very poor goal in the last ten minutes making for a nervy ending – typical Blackpool!

Ian Holloway stuck with the starting XI who had won at Hull, and only made one change of the bench; Matt Phillips replacing Chris Basham.

With Charlie Adam now at Liverpool, the responsibility for taking corners fell to Elliot Grandin, and his supply was superb throughtout; ‘Pool were unlucky not score from a string of corners taken by the Frenchman in the opening minutes.

Backed by a capacity crowd, ‘Pool played some really nice stuff, but just couldn’t find a way through early doors.

Grandin hit the post after a superb move, whilst the Posh scrambled the ball off the line on more than one occasion.

At the other end, Matt Gilks was in fine form, twice denying Lee Tomlin in one on one situations as ‘Pool’s high line of defence once again caused problems.

With it looking like the two sides were going to go into the break all square, Kevin Phillips popped up to score his first goal in tangerine – heading home well from a superb Baptiste cross.

Simply put, Phillips oozes class and should still be playing in the Premier League, and the veteran crowned his home debut with a second just after break, tapping home from close range after a superb run and shot from Keith Southern.

On the hour it could have been 3-0; Brett Ormerod got on the end of another magnificent Baptiste cross but saw his finish go agonisingly wide.

A 2-0 win would have been enough to see ‘Pool return to the top of the table, but with ten minutes remaining a catastrophic error at the back allowed in George Boyd and he rounded Matt Gilks before slotting home. Cue a very nervy last ten minutes (+ four minutes injury time).

With just seconds remaining, Tomlin – comfortably Posh’s best player – headed over with Matt Gilks beaten; had his effort gone in it would have been incredibly harsh on the Seasiders.

All in all, a great start to the new season. There’s still work to do – and new players to bring in – but there are signs that this could be a very promising season for the Seasiders.