Poor ‘Pool Display Sees Shrimpers Through

Blackpool exited the League Cup in the First Round yet again on Sunday afternoon with a poor 2-1 defeat against League Two Morecambe at a half full Bloomfield Road.


The Seasiders named a very strong line-up for the first game of the new campaign, but powderpuff defending and poor finishing saw Jim Bentley’s side progress to Round Two.


‘Pool starting XI: Gilks, Crainey, Evatt, Baptiste, Eardley, Ferguson, Martinez, Sylvestre, Ince, M. Phillips, Taylor-Fletcher.


Expectations were high amongst the Seasiders faithful, but were duly deflated just six minutes into the game when Lewis Alessandra fired the visitors (backed by a lively following) ahead with a low shot from the edge of the area after a terrible error at the back by Stephen Crainey; the Scot completing misjudging the ball in the air.


‘Pool enjoyed a lot of possession in the opening forty five minutes, but lacked a cutting edge for the most part – all too often they launched aimless long balls forward.


That’s not to say that they didn’t have chances – Matt Phillips hitting the post, and Barry Roche saving from Tom Ince.


Morecambe could have found themselves 2-0 up before the break though had Burrow not tamely lofted the ball over the bar when through on goal.


‘Pool threw Elliot Grandin on at half time for Ludovic Sylvestre – Seasiders boss Ian Holloway clearly unhappy with his number fourteen.


Blackpool did play better in the second forty five, and were camped in the Morecambe half for the most part.


However, eleven minutes into the second half they completely switched off and allowed Andy Fleming to run in on goal and slide the ball past Matt Gilks.


The visitor’s second saw Ollie respond by taking off Angel Martinez (the consensus was that the anonymous Ferguson should have been replaced) and bring on Tiago Gomes for his debut. In his time on the pitch, the Portuguese midfielder was comfortably the best player on the park.


Matt Phillips hit the woodwork again, whilst Roche saved brilliantly from Taylor-Fletcher (who also missed a sitter of a header) as the Seasiders battled to get back into the game, but lacked the presence of a real centre forward.


GTF’s missed header was to be his last action of the game, with youngster Tom Barkhuizen replacing him.


‘Pool did claw one back through Alex Baptiste after a scramble in the penalty area, but it was to no avail.


Much better is required when our league campaign kicks off against Millwall next weekend.