Luton had the opening opportunity, but Jorge Grant failed to get the freekick over the Blackpool wall. Blackpool however were the brightest of the two in the early exchanges, even if they did not quite seem themselves. Potts saved Luton as Feeney charged down on goal with a thumping challenge and then in the 7th minute of the match Cullen tried to flick home a Turton cross, failing to find the target. It was a lackadaisical start from both sides, but Blackpool were the best of the two.
Luton would slowly but surely build up their collective strength as a string of chances begun in the 15th minute with Stacey causing problems and then Heneghan forcing a save out of Howard as his clearance did the opposite of what he would have desired. The Luton number 7, Stacey, would persist in causing issues with the right back delivering another dangerous cross in the 19th minute. The right back was really enjoying a positive spell down that right proportion of the pitch as this time, in the 21st minute, he would strike into the grateful gloves of Howard.
An observation that I could make during this game was that Blackpool’s Tilt was a little off colour today as he, uncharacteristically, missed numerous headers and was left second best too many times also. Was this due to his increased role, with Heneghan filling in for Daniels, or perhaps he was simply not at full fitness? His failure to make a simple pass in the 22nd minute almost cost Blackpool as he cheaply gave the ball away and Lee, for Luton, would have a chance to score the opener. Again Howard, the man of the moment, would bat away his venomous effort to keep the scores level.
Blackpool were still not out of this though, as it remained a game of few chances and little excitement. Feeney would have Blackpool’s best chance of the match thus far in the 29th minute as Thompson picked him out, but it was tipped over by the goalkeeper.
But the visitors were well and truly on top in this one as Ruddock had another shot in the 32nd minute and then Lee hit a dangerous dipping shot in the 36th minute. Luton were persistent but lacking that cutting edge as Potts would head wide at the back post following a freekick in the 40th minute. Luton were the side who looked likely to break the deadlock, but it was goa-less at the break.
Football is however a game of two halves, but the second in this one was just as por as the first. Blackpool, similarly to Luton in the first half, had a freekick early on, but Thompson could only strike over the bar.
Blackpool were basically the only side in the match in the second half and this was proven as they continued to have chances. In the 53rd minute Turton had a half chance but his shot flew high and wide. This was built upon further as Delfouneso delivered a pin-point cross in the 59th minute onto the head of Thompson, but the attacking midfielder headed wide of the mark.
The game was deteriorating into a void of nothingness as Luton seemed content with the current score line. Half-chances were all that was left in this match with Lee, on the counter for Luton, seeing a shot that went through Bola’s legs find Howard’s arms. Luton threatened on the counter, but Howard was equal to everything that was thrown at him, making a save from Ruddock with 3 minutes left.
The game remained goalless and it sends Pool up to 8th position and extends their unbeaten run further. They lacked attacking flair toady and that is a worry, with the trip to Loftus Road on Tuesday, they will have to make their few chances count. Luton have underperformed so far this season and are much better than their League position suggests. The missing Daniels was also noticeable and as a whole the performance was lacklustre; but Tuesday could help to bring that momentum back from the brink.
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