Six Of The Best Ensure 3rd

Four (yes that`s four) goals from Andy Morrell and two from strike partner Keigan Parker helped The Seasiders to a fantastic 6-3 away win at Swansea City. The result dashed any remaining hopes The Swans had of reaching the playoffs and also meant Blackpool leapfrogged Nottingham Forest (who drew 0-0 at home to Crewe) into third place – missing out on automatic promotion by two points because Bristol City won their game 3-1 at home to already relegated Rotherham.

6-3 victory away from home; the most significant win in years; the last day of the season – and I wasn`t there. Parents eh, who needs them? Messrs Chisnall and Canavan kept me company out in the back garden on a very bright Saturday afternoon and I must say – I quite enjoyed their company as well!

Anyway, onto the game, and Simon Grayson made just one change to the side that overcame Scunny last week 3-1: Adrian Forbes was in for the suspended (and stupid) Chris Brandon whose suspension was unclear – and he will be available for the Playoff final (should we get there) after all.

A full house was the scene at The Liberty Stadium – with around 17000 Welshmen clinging onto the fading glimmer of the playoffs. However, that glimmer turned to glint after just 14 minutes when defender Izzy Iriekpen headed home from close range to send City fans wild and move them into 6th place with Oldham only drawing. 1-0

Robbie Williams quickly had a freekick charged down by the wall and moments later Lee Trundle had a goal disallowed by Andre Marriner for offside. The game was gathering pace.

The lead didn`t last long. Seven minutes in fact. Clever interchange between Parker and Jorgensen set up Andy Morrell to bag his first of the afternoon. 1-1

Parker himself was itching to get on the score sheet himself and had a freekick well saved by Gueret on the half hour mark, only for him to get another chance a minute later: this time he faced the keeper one on one after a through ball by Forbes which he dispatched confidently to send the travelling tangerines crazy. 1-2

Keigan had another chance minutes before the break, only for his shot to drift wide.

Half Time: Swansea City 1 – 2 Blackpool

What did Simon Grayson say at half time? Or was it Robert Martinez`s team talk that worked a treat? Swansea switched to five in midfield, and tried to over run the Seasiders in midfield – and it worked.

Two minutes after the restart Lee Trundle had time to push home to get The Swans on level terms – although Robbie Williams and co at the back were livid that a handball by Daryl Duffy wasn`t spotted. 2-2

On 49 minutes Keith Southern was harshly treated as he was adjudged to have brought down Trundle in the penalty area. Penalty given by Marriner; miss by Trundle as his shot rebounded back off the post after Joe Hart had guessed the wrong way.

You`d think the ‘pool would try and slow the game down, yes? Well actually, no – they didn`t. A bizarre ten opening minutes to the second period was complete when Joe Hart came for a cross, flapped and allowed Dennis Lawrence to cross onto Iriekpen, who reacted quickest to give City the lead again. 3-2

However, the away side have that sort of character about them, and hit back immediately on 57 minutes. Great work by Keigan Parker once again resulted in Andy Morrell having an easy opportunity to equaliser: one he took calmly. 3-3

The goals weren`t finished there, and four minutes later Morrell struck again to make it 4-3 from six yards and to complete his well deserved hat trick. 3-4!

The Liberty Stadium was then left in a state of shock for a whole 16 minutes where neither side created anything and no goals were seen. On the radio, the commentators were moaning at the lack of goals – and quite right too!

The game was wrapped up with 15 remaining as Andy Morrell finished his scoring for the afternoon with his fourth goal and ‘Pool`s fifth. 3-5

Adrian Forbes was given a warm round of applause as he was replaced by David Fox. Scott Vernon and Simon Gillett also came on, for Andy Morrell and Wes Hoolahan.

The icing on the playoff cake was a fine finish by Keigan Parker on 88 minutes as he lobbed Gueret in the Swansea goal from the edge of the box. 3-6!

An unbelievable victory – one I`m gutted I didn`t witness. What is certain is that whatever happens in the next few weeks, this season has been one to remember for Blackpool fans. Bring on Oldham!