Scorers:
Blackpool - Thompson (5'), Tilt (29')
Rochdale - Delaney (9'), Andrew (86')
H.T: 2-1
K.O: 3.00 Saturday 6th October 2018
Attendance: 3,520
Referee: Robert Jones
Rochdale Manager: Keith Hill
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Changes in the table: Blackpool slip to 13th and Rochdale stay 15th.
Form: WDW – LLW
Line-Ups:
Blackpool: Howard, Turton, Heneghan, Tilt, Bola, Spearing, Guy (McLaughlin), Thompson, Delfouneso (Cullen), Feeney (Nottingham), Gnanduillet
Subs not used: Boney, Daniels, O'Connor, Dodoo
Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Delaney, McGahey, Williams (Cannon), Rathbone (Andrew), Perkins, Inman, Hart, Clough (Williams), Henderson
Subs not used: Moore, McNulty, Done, Morley
The game started really quite slowly, with neither side asserting any kind of dominance and the the match being really scrappy. The match was also being broken up by a referee who wasn't afraid of giving a free-kick or two. But the game would soon be set alight with two quick fire goals.
A brilliant, searching cross from Bola found Thompson who, at the near post, headed past a helpless Lillis into the net. This lead came out of nowhere, but it would only last for a few minutes.
After 8 minutes Rochdale issued the perfect response to the adversity that Blackpool put forward. Delaney smashed home from a corner and equalized for Dale on the volley. The match went from underwhelming to overwhelming in a matter of minutes.
Rochdale would go on to build on their goal as there was a huge improvement in their confidence and play. In the 10th minute there was another corner for Rochdale, but they could not punish Blackpool this time around.
12 minutes in Clough would have a freekick for Rochdale, but again they couldn't capitalise as Howard made an easy save. Blackpool were appearing second best and Dale has the vast majority of the play as they attempted to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
But just as Dale looked as if they might make that pressure tell, Blackpool would retake the lead. Against the run of play Blackpool had a corner and Curtis Tilt would head just over the line, as it originally appeared it was cleared in the 28th minute.
Blackpool were rejuvenated by this goal and would finish the second half in convincing fashion. Jay Spearing, who was recently nominated for player of the month, saw a freekick cannon wide off the wall. But even for the number of corners and sustained effort, Blackpool were limited by some resolute defending from Dale.
In the second half The Tangerines would continue to keep their grip on the match as they went in search of that third.
The half began with some controversy as Williams would take down Thompson after he was put through by Gnanduillet, it was only a yellow, but it could easily have been a red card.
In the 51st minute a corner by Spearing was glanced slightly over by Delfouneso and then another one 3 minutes later Heneghan couldn’t find a fellow Pool player in the area. Blackpool would continue on the press and would even hit the bar. In the 59th minute a cross from Callum Guy would hit the bar, but it never really threatened the keeper.
In the 76th minute Thompson laid off to Gnanduillet but his shot was cleared even though it seemed goal bound. Gnanduillet would fail to convert again 4 minutes later as McLaughlin lifted towards the back post and the Frenchman would not volley on target.
Blackpool were the brightest but Dale were far from out of it yet. This was proved when, against the run of play, Andrew, the substitute, would equalize. A stooping header into the corner gave Dale the goal that would send them home happy.
Blackpool extend their unbeaten run to 13, but there have been too many draws. Blackpool have to change these into wins if they really do want that playoff spot because after all, this is a result business. McPhillips has done well, but can he take it to that next level?
UTP
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