Scorers: Boyce (6'), Allen (34') and Akins (68')
H.T: 0-0
K.O: 3.00 Saturday 16/03/2019
Attendance: 2715
Referee: Antony Backhouse
Burton manager: Nigel Clough
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Form: DWL - WDD
Preview: https://theblackpoolblog.wixsite.com/theblackpoolblog/home/burton-a-match-preview
Match Events:
It really was not the best of starts for Blackpool. They may have almost carved out an opening very early on, when Feeney's cross only just avoided the outstretched leg of Long but Blackpool, with a disjointed and unfamiliar defence, would soon find themselves behind though. A cross from the left was turned home by Boyce on 6 minutes, flicking into the roof of the net.
The Burton opener really appeared to rattle Blackpool and what followed would have certainly failed to improve this situation. In the 12th minute Allen rushed clear of the Blackpool defence and had time to pick his spot. The best he could muster however was a shot across Howard that smashed into the outside of the post.
The first half was progressively getting more painful for Blackpool. In just the 13th minute Howard would go down awkwardly and not only require attention, but also the stretcher. He would be replaced by Boney as the game became just that bit tougher for the Seasiders.
The next 20 minutes or so would consist of scrappy exchanges and a number of misplaced passes, but it was Burton who would eventually extend their advantage. It was a complete disaster for Boney , who fumbled Allen's effort over the line, despite Heneghan very nearly counteracting the error. 11 minutes from half time and Blackpool were sinking quicker than anyone could have imagined.
Despite Long drilling from distance and Heneghan heading over the bar in the closing minutes for Blackpool, it had been an abysmal first half for the Seasiders. They were left with it all to do in the second half.
2nd Half:
Without a change at half time, the pattern of the first half continued into the second. Perhaps Blackpool looked slightly brighter, but still looked exposed in the defensive area. In the 50th minute Miller ran a huge distance to work an opening and his powerful effort was tipped over by Boney.
Blackpool had improved though and in the 54th minute would almost find a path back into the match, when Virtue could not adjust his body shape quick enough, firing beyond the near post.
Then Burton would wrap up the match and it would be yet another corner that would be their undoing. Akins would head home in the second phase and end any hopes of a comeback.
There were some real reverberations of that match against Bristol. Blackpool had been beaten and they had been beaten well.
UTP
