BLACKPOOL ................. 1
BRISTOL CITY ............... 1
Last season, Division 3 was all about Bristol City. They were the standout side in a league that was keenly contested and had attracted it's fair share of talented players. Their points total of 105 was bettered only by York City, who won Division 5 with one point more. City won the league by 19 points which is impressive by anyone's standards.
Blackpool also had a good season but did not come close to Bristol City. Blackpool were a side that liked to attack and had the philosophy of 'if they score 4 then we will score 5'. The result of that was they either won or lost and in fact ended up with the least amount of draws in the division with 5. This resulted in a place in the play offs after finishing 5th in the table. Hardly surprisingly their play off games were all about goals as they thrashed Plymouth Argyle 5-2 in the Semi Final before drawing 3-3 with Portsmouth at Wembley and then triumphing on penalties.
With both sides winning promotion, the question was did they have the players to give a good account of themselves in Division 2. Bristol City certainly looked the better equipped and manager, Luke Bailey, further strengthened his side with the purchase of Ruben Pardo and Jeremy Mathieu while Blackpool boss Tony Lennox managed to bring in Giulio Migliaccio, Dean Hammond and has also now added Tommaso Bianchi just a week ago.
The two promoted sides have had a good start to the season with Bristol City tucked in behind Crystal Palace at the top with five wins from their six games and Blackpool sitting nicely in 8th position with three wins and a draw from their own six games. When the teams met last season, they drew 2-2 at Ashton Gate with Bristol City winning the return 2-1 here at Bloomfield Road. Bristol City start favourites for this one and a win could take them top of the table if other results go their way while Blackpool could force themselves into the top six.
A crowd of over 17,000 have turned up for this Division 2 clash with around 1500 Bristol City fans housed in the East Stand and the atmosphere is building. The team sheets have arrived in the press box and it tells us that Tony Lennox has opted for a 3-5-2 formation while City boss, Luke Bailey, has went for a 5-3-2 with two wing backs that will be expected to push forward when possible.
The teams are:
BLACKPOOL: Carson; Maicon, Carioca, Johnson; Krasic, Ebert, Hammond, Denisov, Maiga; Locadia, Pizzaro.
BRISTOL CITY: Lopez; Jung, Korb, Rojo, Caricco, Kurzawa; Lopez, Pardo, Nem; Osako; Berahino
The two teams emerge to a loud welcome with both sets of fans looking for a good performance from their side. It has all the makings of a good game with Blackpool looking for revenge for last season's defeat here. The teams line up for the kick off and it will be the home side to get us underway. Locadia and Pizzaro are round the ball and off we go as the noise reaches an extra level. Blackpool were first to try and sound out the City defence but it came to nothing as an attempted ball through to Locadia was easily mopped up. With 5 minutes gone Bristol City were playing some nice possession football and Pardo picked it up in the midfield. As he held on to the ball looking to play it forward, Hammond came in with a challenge that dumped Pardo on the turf. The referee quickly blew for the free kick and he decided to stamp his authority early on by showing a yellow to the Blackpool midfield man. The Blackpool fans voiced their disapproval at the booking but Hammond could have no complaints. The game was very even but the first chance fell to Blackpool on 11 minutes. A good run through the midfield by Denisov seen him allowed far too much space of which he took full advantage of to get into the box with the City defence still backing off. Denisov then slips the ball to Ebert who holds off Kurzawa before getting a shot in on goal. Lopez has to get across his goal smartly to make a good save. This was enough to bring an angry looking Bailey out of the dug out and give his defence a few choice words. It was a decent chance for Ebert who will think he could have done a bit better. This sparked City into attack and they moved forward with Lopez breaking down the right. He played the ball inside to Nem who cleverly played the ball back into the path of Lopez. The Spaniard had one look up before rifling an effort that Carson had to get behind to make the save. There was strong hands needed from Carson as the ball positively flew right at him. The game was building into a good contest as the midfield of both sides battled for superiority in the middle of the park. The City defence seemed to have settled now and were taking care of anything that came their way. Blackpool continued to probe for an opening but there seemed no way through. City were also finding it difficult to find space now and the couple of times they tried to get behind the defence was well snuffed out by the home defence. Chances were now at a premium but on the half hour mark, Denisov found Locadia just outside the City penalty area with his back to goal. As the striker tried to turn, Jung made sure he wasn't going to get away and the combination of pulling on his shirt and tripping him brought a dangerous looking free kick on the edge of the box. Jung became the second player to see yellow, his first of the season. Denisov lined up to take the kick. The wall was just a couple of yards in front of the six yard box but with everyone expecting the direct shot, Denisov lifted it into the box where it was met by the unchallenged Locadia. Locadia attempted to send his header towards the top corner but it just cleared the angle of post and crossbar to go for a goal kick. It was great invention by Blackpool and it caught the City defence flat footed. In the end, though, it was a good chance missed. City seemed to just be struggling a bit as Blackpool were getting on top. The home side were winning the midfield battle and on 37 minutes they took the lead. Again, the City defence seemed to be caught flat footed as Krasic made his way down the right. He spotted Maiga on the far side and played a deep cross that Maiga brought under control. With the City defence all at sea, Maiga had time to advance into the box and before any defender could get close to him, he let fly a shot that seemed to go right towards the middle of the goal and almost through Lopez into the net.
Blackpool take the lead through a pale looking Maiga
The stadium erupted as Blackpool players celebrated and Bristol City held an inquest into a display of very poor defending. Bailey was out in the technical area going mad at his defence and it was easy to see why. What the goalkeeper was doing was anyone's guess. It was if he was diving out of the way and unless the ball took a deflection then there is no explanation.
Bristol City restarted the game looking to get back on level terms quickly. They pushed forward but the Blackpool defence were showing Bristol how to defend properly, easily clearing their lines but they could do nothing to prevent an equalising goal on 40 minutes. The ball was played through to Osako, just a couple of yards outside the area,by Jung with Pardo in support. Osako played the ball to Pardo and Pardo then played a superb pass back through to Osako, putting him on a one on one with the keeper. As Carson advanced to narrow the angle, Osako tried to slot one past him and although Carson seemed to get a touch to the ball he couldn't stop it from going into the net.
City scored a quick equaliser
Osako turned away to be jumped on by his team mates as the 1500 City fans celebrated in the East Stand. It was a great move and the first time that City had managed to carve through the home defence. It was Blackpool's turn to restart but both teams looked like they were settling for 1-1 at the break with any attempted attack coming to nothing. With a shrill of the whistle the ref brought the first half to a close and the players headed for the tunnel
HALF TIME: BLACKPOOL 1 BRISTOL CITY 1
The teams emerged for the second half with no changes to either side. It wasn't clear which manager would have been the happier of the two but I am sure Luke Bailey would have given his defence a tough time. Tony Lennox looked content as he took his place on the bench and he would have been overall, pleased with his sides performance so far. City kicked off and we were underway again. The game could maybe do with a bit more pace but both sides were happy to wait for an opening to appear. The first chance of the second half arrived on 52 minutes when Ebert received the ball midway in the City half. He managed to get forward to the angle of the penalty box before centring the ball. Hammond managed to get his head to the ball first and he sent a looping header that Lopez had to dive backwards to tip it over the bar for a corner. Once again the City defence didn't do enough to prevent the cross and header and they nearly paid the price for it. The corner was headed away by Rojo but Blackpool came right back onto the attack. Hammond was looking dangerous and he rolled he ball out to Maiga. The Mali front man then used his pace to beat his marker and powered a shot at goal that Lopez once again had to dive to make the save, this time managing to hold onto the ball. City had weathered the storm and were now coming back into the game.
On 64 minutes they fashioned their fist real effort of the second half when Pardo spotted Korb on the overlap and played the ball onto him. Korb ran on to it and from almost 30 yards cracked in a long range effort that had goal written all over it only for Carson to somehow keep the ball out. Carson must have been blinded before seeing the shot late and managing to scramble it away. The visitors were enjoying a good spell and a nice pass through to Osako seen the Japanese striker reach the bye line before sending in a cross that Lopez brought down, stepped past Carioca and fired in a shot that Carson got across to and saved, making it look easier than it was. From the kick out, Blackpool went straight on the attack with Pizzaro knocking the keeper's kick back to Hammond. The midfielder wasted no time in showing some pace to get to the edge of the box before firing a shot on target that Lopez got down to and keep out with Korb completing the clearance. The game was stretching as more chances were being made. On 73 minutes it was City's turn to come close with Pardo advancing midway in the Blackpool half. He sent a cross into the Blackpool box where Osako done well to control it before sending a low strike towards goal that Carson done well to save with his feet. We were coming closer to a winner as both sides started throwing players forward. Tony Lennox decided to make a triple substitution in the hope that his side could come up with something different. Maicon, Johnson and Ebert were the players to be replaced with O'Dea, Byram and Bamford coming on. The Blackpool faithful were giving their support from the stands as their heroes tried to conjure up the winner. It was end to end now but both sides were being restricted to efforts from outside the box. Into the last ten minutes and neither side were giving an inch in the battle for the winner.
The substitutions had made little impact and it was Bristol City who, in fact, came closest with 85 minutes on the clock. Berahino had been anonymous for most of the match but he made a well timed run behind the defence and was picked out by Lopez. Berhino could probably have run on but he decided to take one touch and then try and curl it past Carson, but the keeper seen it early and managed to make a comfortable save. It wasn't the best of decisions that Berahino made and one or two of his team mates let him know. Going into the last couple of minutes, a draw was looking a certainty and Blackpool kept defenders back as they looked to be making sure they didn't lose a goal rather than try and score one. The referee blew for full time and it was a point apiece. The players shook hands and made their way up the tunnel with both Lennox and Bailey waiting to see all the players off safely. The fans made their way to the exits after seeing a good game that could have provided a few more goals than it did.
In the end a 1-1 draw was a fair result in a game where no one managed to get on top for a sustained period of time.
Other results meant that Bristol City moved to the top of the league with Blackpool remaining in 8th. There is only between the top six and the battle for automatic promotion is going to be very tight.
Tony Lennox will be happy with the point that keeps his side up in the top half of the table. It is always tough to be promoted as the winner of the play-offs with almost everyone expecting you to go straight back down again but Tony has his team well disciplined and he would have been much happier with his defence in this game. Whether he has the players to be able to hold on to a middle of the table position is debatable. The experience of players like Glen Johnson and Douglas Maicon will be vital and as long as they stay fit then Blackpool will have a chance of staying safe.
Luke Bailey has steered his side to a Division 3 title and now he has taken them to the top of Division 2. The defence looked quite shaky, particularly in the first half but considering they have lost just 6 goals in the first 7 games suggests this was not typical of their performance. The signing of Mathieu was a clever one and although he has missed a couple of games through injury, he will make the defence much more solid. The two loan strikers might be the main worry with the chance always there that they could be re called at any time. I would say the purchase of a striker should be top of Luke's list and if they can do that then they should be in the fight for a play off place as I don't think an automatic promotion slot is within their capabilities.
Fannie Licker @ Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
A chance for Bristol City
On 64 minutes they fashioned their fist real effort of the second half when Pardo spotted Korb on the overlap and played the ball onto him. Korb ran on to it and from almost 30 yards cracked in a long range effort that had goal written all over it only for Carson to somehow keep the ball out. Carson must have been blinded before seeing the shot late and managing to scramble it away. The visitors were enjoying a good spell and a nice pass through to Osako seen the Japanese striker reach the bye line before sending in a cross that Lopez brought down, stepped past Carioca and fired in a shot that Carson got across to and saved, making it look easier than it was. From the kick out, Blackpool went straight on the attack with Pizzaro knocking the keeper's kick back to Hammond. The midfielder wasted no time in showing some pace to get to the edge of the box before firing a shot on target that Lopez got down to and keep out with Korb completing the clearance. The game was stretching as more chances were being made. On 73 minutes it was City's turn to come close with Pardo advancing midway in the Blackpool half. He sent a cross into the Blackpool box where Osako done well to control it before sending a low strike towards goal that Carson done well to save with his feet. We were coming closer to a winner as both sides started throwing players forward. Tony Lennox decided to make a triple substitution in the hope that his side could come up with something different. Maicon, Johnson and Ebert were the players to be replaced with O'Dea, Byram and Bamford coming on. The Blackpool faithful were giving their support from the stands as their heroes tried to conjure up the winner. It was end to end now but both sides were being restricted to efforts from outside the box. Into the last ten minutes and neither side were giving an inch in the battle for the winner.
The substitutions had made little impact and it was Bristol City who, in fact, came closest with 85 minutes on the clock. Berahino had been anonymous for most of the match but he made a well timed run behind the defence and was picked out by Lopez. Berhino could probably have run on but he decided to take one touch and then try and curl it past Carson, but the keeper seen it early and managed to make a comfortable save. It wasn't the best of decisions that Berahino made and one or two of his team mates let him know. Going into the last couple of minutes, a draw was looking a certainty and Blackpool kept defenders back as they looked to be making sure they didn't lose a goal rather than try and score one. The referee blew for full time and it was a point apiece. The players shook hands and made their way up the tunnel with both Lennox and Bailey waiting to see all the players off safely. The fans made their way to the exits after seeing a good game that could have provided a few more goals than it did.
In the end a 1-1 draw was a fair result in a game where no one managed to get on top for a sustained period of time.
Other results meant that Bristol City moved to the top of the league with Blackpool remaining in 8th. There is only between the top six and the battle for automatic promotion is going to be very tight.
Tony Lennox will be happy with the point that keeps his side up in the top half of the table. It is always tough to be promoted as the winner of the play-offs with almost everyone expecting you to go straight back down again but Tony has his team well disciplined and he would have been much happier with his defence in this game. Whether he has the players to be able to hold on to a middle of the table position is debatable. The experience of players like Glen Johnson and Douglas Maicon will be vital and as long as they stay fit then Blackpool will have a chance of staying safe.
Luke Bailey has steered his side to a Division 3 title and now he has taken them to the top of Division 2. The defence looked quite shaky, particularly in the first half but considering they have lost just 6 goals in the first 7 games suggests this was not typical of their performance. The signing of Mathieu was a clever one and although he has missed a couple of games through injury, he will make the defence much more solid. The two loan strikers might be the main worry with the chance always there that they could be re called at any time. I would say the purchase of a striker should be top of Luke's list and if they can do that then they should be in the fight for a play off place as I don't think an automatic promotion slot is within their capabilities.
Fannie Licker @ Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
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