Port Vale 1 – 2 Blackpool

The Seasiders made the best possible start to the festive program with goals from Simon Wiles and Keigan Parker to take all three points home from Vale Park.

Manager Simon Grayson made one changed to the side that drew with Swindon town last week, the departed Ian Morris was replaced by Simon Wiles, on the bench Rob Edwards returned from injury and Cieran Donnelly returned from suspension.

First Half

Pool started looking nervous throughout the first half, with passes going astray and lack of invention in creating anything of interest. But it was the Seasiders who had first sight of goal when John Doolan’s low shot from 25-yards forced Vale keeper Marc Goodlad into a low save to his right.

Vale however did manager to get the ball into the back of the net in the first half from a corner, only for it to be disallowed for a foul on Jones.

Second Half

The second half saw Pool shooting toward the following support, and it was the Seasiders who started of the better in the second half, Southern shot wide after a neat one-two with John Murphy.

The Seasiders then upped the pace and managed to get two good counter attacking goals in a five minute spell. A combination of Southern and then Doolan won possession in the middle for the Pool. Doolan then set Parker free who crossed for Wiles who coolly slotted home at the far post to give Blackpool the lead on 52 minutes.

Then the lead was doubled minutes later when a superb ball from Wilcox was latched onto by Keigan Parker, the Scot produced a finish to match the superb ball by lobbing the on coming Vale Keeper.

With two goals in the bag the Seasiders then took the foot of the pedal which turned out to be costly as on 58 minutes centre back Clayton Fortune fired in after a Birchill free-kick was cleared properly.

However the Seasiders manager to hold out for the rest of the encounter, Birchill came the closed to an equalizer on 72 minutes when his header was saved by Lee Jones.

Blackpool did have chances to extend their lead, Keigan Parker’s cross was narrowly deflected wide and the Scot also attempted to chip the keeper from an acute angle for his second of the game.

Summary

Manager Simon Grayson will be happy with the three points which sees the Seasiders move out of the relegation zone to 19th place on 25 points. It wasn’t the best of performance but Pool battled hard despite at times leaving gaping gaps in defence, a priority must be the permanent signing of a left-back in the January transfer window.

So the start of the Christmas period of matches, four games in eight days, its one day down, one game down and three points, not bad. And oh what fun it is to see Blackpool win away, just ask the thousand or so away fans who witnessed Blackpool first away win since the 2nd of September.

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Peter Clarke


Great save in the second half from a Birchill header. Good defence display, looked tired. Looked out of position in the left-back role. Partnered up with Clarke well, won the aerial battle. Class performance, including one great last ditch tackle. Tireless performance winning tackles. Better performance, still not 100%, did well to set up Parker's run for the first goal Lacked pace but kept the ball flowing, tired to the end. Won most of the headers up front but didn't have any chances to score himself. Some good periods but went missing for patches, cracking ball for Wiles' goal and a brilliant finish for Pool's second. Took his goal well, and looked a threat. Simon Grayson - 7

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