Scorers:
Peterborough – Bennet(27), O’Hara(64)
Blackpool – Gnanduillet(58), Delfouneso(66)
H.T: 1-0
K.O: 3.00 Saturday 29th September 2018
Attendance: 6, 269
Referee: Carl Boyeson
Peterborough manager: Steve Evans
Stadium: London Road Stadium/ABAX
Changes in the table: Portsmouth go top, ahead of Posh by one point and Blackpool drop to 9th.
Line-Ups:
Posh XI: Chapman, Naismith, Bennett, Daniel, Tafazolli, Woodyard, Walker (Cummings), Dembele (Ward), Maddison, Toney, Godden (O'Hara)
Subs not used: Tyler, Reed, Cooke, Yorweth
Blackpool XI: Howard, Turton, Heneghan, Tilt, Bola, Spearing, Guy (Nottingham), Thompson, Delfouneso, Feeney (McLaughlin), Gnanduillet
Subs not used: Boney, O'Connor, O'Sullivan, Dodoo, Cullen
In a breathless encounter at the ABAX the spoils were shared as Blackpool earned a 2-2 draw against league leaders Peterborough. The game combusted into life in the second half as the game became more and more open. It was end to end stuff, but a draw is arguably a fair result, even if Jordan Thompson missed a sitter.
Blackpool started the match in a little nervy manner, but the early Posh pressure was dissipated by Bola, who calmly chested back to a thankful Howard. Blackpool would then begin to grow into the match as they won their first corner in the 6th minute, but it was punched away by the goalkeeper.
Peterborough were being frustrated by a physical Blackpool side, but were still playing quality football. In the 8th minute Jamie Walker saw a gap in the Blackpool back line, but his shot squirmed narrowly wide of the far post.
It was Blackpool, however, that would have the best chance of the opening plays as Spearing fed a delicious ball through to Delfouneso, but his shot lacked the conviction to make it past Chapman, who would have had his heart in his mouth.
Blackpool were playing a very efficient counter attacking game, but the final product was not there as another break led to nothing while Feeney delivered a poor cross in the 17th minute. In the 20th minute again, following a Maddison chance for Posh, Thompson would hammer wide after Howard distributed well.
But, even though the match balanced in equilibrium, Peterborough would prove why they are top of the league. A Dembele free-kick would find its way to Rhys Bennet who would head home past a helpless Howard, who couldn’t keep it out due to its pace.
Blackpool would respond in a resounding fashion as 5 minutes before half time Curtis Tilt headed against the bar from a corner, an annoying end to a frustrating half of football as Blackpool couldn’t convert in spite of the late pressure.
An intense Evans may have told his players in no uncertain terms at half time that they were not good enough and they were lucky to have the lead but, nevertheless, they came out in the second half in exactly the same manner.
Blackpool were on top and had a great chance in the 51st minute, but Bennet was able to turn behind before the chance manifested itself into a goal. 3 minutes later Thompson had a shot, but this time it was the keeper who dealt with it in an adequate way.
Blackpool were on top and in frantic search of the equaliser and finally it came. Gnanduillet had been put in the starting 11 after his quality performance on Tuesday and he repaid that faith. He tapped home a great pass by Delfouneso on 58 minutes and it was well deserved too. The Frenchman had battled, held the ball up with patience and distributed well also.
But, Peterborough bounced back like a greyhound off the blocks and scored instantly. Mark O’Hara unleashed what was a brilliant strike straight into the top corner and out of the reach of an outstretched Howard. That is quite simply why they are top of the League; the response was almost frightening.
But if that response was frightening, Blackpool’s was shell shocking in a crazy few minutes. A brilliant bit of interplay meant that the ball fell to Delfouneso on his right foot in the 66th minute and he would curl it expertly into the top corner. He made no mistake this time.
Blackpool would, in contrast to last time, remain with their foot firmly on the gas pedal as they went in search of that, possible game winning, third.
In the 70th minute Guy would, on the half volley, shoot well over but it was what happened 2 minutes later that will play on the Pool players minds on the way back to the Seaside, particularly Jordan Thompson. A driven cross by Feeney found Thompson with the goal gaping and, should I add, on his least favourable right boot. He then proceeded to slice the effort wide of the target and into the stand, a golden opportunity squandered.
Blackpool would lose momentum after this as they seemed disheartened as their best chance between then and the end of the game would be Gnanduillet glancing over a Thompson free-kick as they struggled to reach previous levels.
6 minutes were added on at the end and Peterborough threw everything at their opponents, only for Howard to make countless saves, especially one from Naismith which was pushed over by a flying save.
The 4th Round Carabao Cup draw is set to follow tonight and will cap another outstanding week for the Seasiders who are on absolute fire at the moment. Not even the league leaders could stop them or the Championship force of QPR, it’s a run that stems all the way back to the second match of the season, and even that was through the shock of losing Gary Bowyer. I am sure this run will end when it is least predicted, but for the moment we simply have to enjoy it.
UTP