First off, apologies to Exiles everywhere for getting your hopes up with regards to the weather in my match preview yesterday afternoon…whoops!
Onto the game and of course the major talking point of the afternoon occurred before a ball had even been kicked in anger in the relegation 6-pointer, as Blackpool took a moment to reflect, reminisce and celebrate the life and career of ‘The King Of Bloomfield Road’, Alan Suddick.
Applause turned to sombre remembrance as both sets of fans, players and management observed a minute’s silence for the ‘Pool favourite who lost his battle against cancer in the early hours of Monday morning.
Alan Mahon was handed his debut in ‘Pool colours at the expense of the unfortunate Joe Martin who dropped to the bench. Meanwhile, former Saint Brett Ormerod was preferred in attack to Nick Blackman and Rob Edwards stepped back into defence after his injury in the place of Danny Coid, with Baptiste shifting to right-back having played the last few games alongside Shaun Barker at the heart of the defence.
It took 20 minutes for the Seasiders to make the breakthrough. DJ Campbell was pulled back in the area and slotted home the spot-kick himself to put ‘Pool on course for another vital home victory.
Another loan player scoring the goal for the Seasiders. It was only Wednesday when I was discussing the matter with a workmate during a bit of a work-dodge when I realised the amount of goals we have scored thanks to loan players and, had we not relied upon their services this season, we would undoubtedly be down there with Charlton by now; Gow, Kabba, Dickinson, Campbell to name just the strikers that have added to our total goal’s tally for this season.
Campbell’s spot-kick was cancelled out though with 30 minutes to go by David McGoldrick as the striker scored a great solo-goal to secure an all-important point for The Saints while The Seasiders will be greatful that the width of the post denied Andrew Surman of a goal in the 5th minute of injury time at the end of the game!
The result sees Blackpool remain 6 points clear of the drop, with another tasty fixture against Plymouth coming up at Bloomfield Road. Themselves having slipped down the table of late and are only 2 points off the relegation zone.
With results going the way they are with the teams surrounding Blackpool in the league, it may well be a case of a victory against Argyle and another win elsewhere may well be good enough to see the boys safe for another season.
53 points the target, then.
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After three good results this was a bad two points to drop at home against fellow strugglers.