Devante Cole would be the man with the honour of getting the match underway and it was instantly clear that both sides wanted to pass the ball. This though resulted in what would be an extremely scrappy first half of football, due to the constant in tactics between the two sides.
Early on Joe Dodoo would be flagged offside a couple of times and Gnanduillet threatened; but for all their toiling it amounted to nothing clear cut. Maybe Blackpool’s best early chance came in the 12th minute when Gnanduillet headed a deep Thompson cross towards goal only to see Collins push it over the bar.
Bola was a real asset once more and is fast becoming the find of the season. In the 18th minute his cross would be sent into a threatening position, but once more Blackpool just couldn’t react quick enough. They were seemingly ball watching and needed to be more kinetic in and around that 6 yard box.
Give Burton credit though, when they were able to get is down they passed the ball in a fluid, zippy sort of way, it was just that Blackpool’s work off the ball closed them down and prevented them from efficiently playing in this manner. They were struggling and were in need of a helping hand and Mark Howard nearly provided that, letting a Spearing back pass slip under his foot and almost into the back of the net, he did well to recover.
Blackpool, despite this miniature scare, would continue with what they were doing, returning to the toiling and the frustration. Even Gnanduillet, with his 6 foot 4 inch stature, was struggling and despite some neat link up play was having a tough day in front of goal. In a couple of minutes, about 35 minutes in, he would both struggle to get a shot off and, later, when he could get a sight of goal he would fire over.
The game became increasingly scrappy as the first half wore on and Burton were an almost non-existent presence, failing to carve open that Blackpool defence. It was Jordan Thompson that would have Blackpool’s last chance of the half as a Gnanduillet flick found the feet of the midfielder who, from a tight angle, would see his low shot easily saved.
For what was a poor first half the Seasiders were slightly on top, but whatever took place at half time it did the trick in turning that advantage into a landslide. Before you knew it the Seasiders were one to the good as Armand Gnaduillet calmly slotted home on his right foot, finding the bottom left hand corner after being put through by Dodoo.
If that wasn’t enough Blackpool would double their advantage as Dodoo turned provider again. The tricky striker used his pace to get to the left flank and deliver a perfect cross on his left foot, the man on hand, Jordan Thompson, who could not miss however hard he may have tried.
Blackpool were a transformation of what they were in the first half; more clinical, more energetic and more wilful as another chance would fall their way. This time, in the 54th minute, a hooked reverse ball by Gnanduillet found its way through a crowd to Dodoo who, having should have scored, squirmed his effort a fair distance wide.
But, Blackpool were in fruitful mood and Dodoo would soon make amends, powering home a chance that some would say was more difficult than the one that came before. It was a fantastic scissor kick on the half volley 58 minutes in and it was a goal that all but wrapped up the three points.
Blackpool quietened after this as they seemed contempt with this 3 goal advantage and cancelled out anything the Brewers threw at them. The game seemed to return to its regular pattern in the first half.
Burton may have had a number of corners and they were now pressing that ever resilient Blackpool defence. It wasn’t to be though with their best chance coming in the 77th minute when Devante Cole swept a chance well wide of the target.
If anything, it was Blackpool that would extend their lead, when Gnanduillet scuffed a Dodoo pull back in the 79th minute, but there was one thing for sure, the 3 points were going to be Blackpool’s.
That result means that Blackpool remain in seventh and kick off their 3 games in 7 days in the perfect manner. However extraordinary it might seem, the Seasiders seem to be establishing themselves as a good League One side and one that can battle at the top half of the table. They play eight place Doncaster next and this will prove a huge test. For now though, you have got to applaud the effort from Terry and the lads; long may it continue!
UTP
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