Joey Barton's men were overpowered by a ruthless Blackpool side, as the Seasiders move into the playoffs.
Blackpool took the lead early on and realistically it was against initial run of play. Liam Feeney, who has been on a goal drought since 2017, was the unlikely scorer as he was provided time and space to swivel and sweep the ball beyond a helpless Crellin. Fleetwood looked lively going forward, but Blackpool had the lead out of nowhere.
The game was being played at a frightening pace, as both sides went toe to toe and Blackpool grew in confidence. Both defences were standing strong following the opener though. For all both sides' attacking flair, they just could not carve out any openings.
Fleetwood bodies began to flood forward though, as they searched for the equaliser. But that opening still would not quite come, even when Madden found space on the edge of the area he saw his shot blocked.
In the 31st minute however, Fleetwood were desperately close to an equaliser. Madden once again was central to the attack, with his movement creating space, but he drifted too wide as he lashed wide of the target. Blackpool would retain their advantage.
Blackpool were clearly adopting a long ball tactic, with Feeney picking up the pieces from Gnanduillet. In the 39th minute, on a rare Blackpool attack, Feeney delivered a cross to the front post and Virtue darted onto it. Virtue could only turn the ball around the post though, but it was more promising from the Seasiders as they went into half time.
Blackpool ran away with the game in the second half and obliterated any plan that Barton had put together at half time. In the 47th minute Kaikai provided one of the goals of the season. A whipped shot from a wide free kick looped over Crellin and into the net. As simply as that, Blackpool had doubled their advantage.
Kaikai could have had a second in the 63rd minute when Virtue rolled the ball into his path and sent him through. This time he snatched at the chance somewhat, slicing the ball high and wide and squandering a superb chance.
Blackpool would have their third collectively though and it was the returning Gnanduillet who would get it. Naturally, Feeney would become the provider in the 65th minute with Gnanduillet nodding a header against the post and in. The Seasiders were flying.
Following a stoppage sparked by a pitch invader, which saw both sets of fans clash, Fleetwood had time to regroup and began to sustain some pressure of their own despite being three down.
In the 71st minute Coyle created some space to shift the ball onto his left foot, but Alnwick was barely tested with a weak final effort. Blackpool still looked dangerous on the counter though, with Kaikai being denied through Crellin, having been threaded through by Gnanduillet.
It was one of these counters that would ultimately be Blackpool’s undoing though, as Delfouneso tried to turn and initiate such a break. As he tried to wriggle free, McAleny pounced, picking up the ball and unleashing a pacy shot into the bottom corner. Fleetwood suddenly had a glimmer of hope.
Although Fleetwood toiled in the final minutes, the closest they would come was the bar in a largely comfortable end of the game for Blackpool. Fleetwood showed flashes of what they could do today, but Blackpool were ruthless and put in an admirable defensive performance.
Blackpool move up to fourth and passed a huge test by seeing off Fleetwood in such convincing fashion. Blackpool have proved they have the capability to go a long way this season, the only question is, how far?
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