In what was an eventful first half this match started off slower than most, with a lack of chances in the first 10 minutes as the game became more and more scrappy progressively. There was a lack of fluidity and neither side really posed any threat; well that was until Heneghan made an awful mistake to gift Macclesfield the lead. A simple headed back pass was completely misjudged and led to Blissett finding the bottom corner beyond a helpless Mafoumbi.
But it was Blackpool who would then gain control in this one, at least in terms of performance. First in the 19th minute Gnanduillet would flick the ball up onto his left foot, but his strike would miss the target. The first of a whole host of chances that went begging for an overtly frustrated Blackpool side in the first half.
It was Gnanduillet who was at the centre of the majority of these chances to as two headers, one in the 20th minute and one in the 27th minute, both missed the target despite the build up play appearing to be promising.
Blackpool would in fact score, but in classic Blackpool style it wouldn’t be through an easy chance. Guy, from all of 30 yards unleashed a moving strike that flew into the top corner with the keeper rooted to the spot. It was deserved but only to be short lived.
It initially appeared as if it would be Blackpool who would build on their equaliser as Feeney drilled a cross across the face of goal but it went narrowly wide.
It was, instead, Macclesfield who would retake the lead as Rose this time was the man to score from distance, almost producing a carbon copy of Guy’s goal into the opposite corner. A goal that you couldn’t have seen coming and one that would mean Blackpool would have a mountain to climb once more.
Blackpool would have a couple more chances towards the end of the first half. In the 39th minute Pritchard would deliver a great corner to the back post but Heneghan would head wide. Intertwined with all this Blackpool pressure was a golden Macclesfield chance. Napa was sent clean through in the 41st minute, but lacking the balance and composure he fired over. Blackpool would regain their grip on the game as O’Sullivan this time headed over from close range. A half time score of 2-1 was not reflective and they had it all to do in the second half.
Blackpool picked up from where they left off in the first half as the pressure would begin to build again. But Napa, for Macclesfield would be put through again but this time Heneghan would defend well.
It would be all Blackpool for a considerable period now. First, in the 52nd minute, a cross eluded everyone apart from Pritchard who would pivot but drag his shot across the face of goal. Blackpool were struggling to produce chances an eventually Macclesfield would punish Blackpool for their lack in creative ingenuity. Rose would get his second of the evening from the penalty spot and put the game beyond any reasonable doubt in the 79th minute.
Blackpool would reduce the deficit by one though as in the 90th minute O’Sullivan bundled the ball over the line after a header from Heneghan. Blackpool, in a crazy few minutes, would score again and that ‘any reasonable doubt’ would wane. Blackpool were playing the 2nd bottom team in League Two and this was, realistically, the least they deserved as Paudie O’Connor would send Blackpool to penalties, however Macclesfield would manage to take home the majority of the points as they won 5-3.
Blackpool were simply lacking going forward once again and individual errors at the back cost them dear. You can not concede three and expect to win the game. Blackpool were not good enough but it is only the Checkatrade Trophy and lessons can be learnt, especially from their resilience. Whether it will be McPhillips in the dugout on Saturday, who knows, but going forward things have to change, and they have to change quick.
UTP
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