Blackpool 1 - 1 Bristol C

Simon Grayson decided only to start one of his new signings, Neil Wood got the nod to start in the centre of midfield with Keith Southern, Donnelly moved over to the right. David Fox had to settle for a place on the bench and Marcus Bean was left out of the match squad. After making his debut last week Dean Gordon was dropped out of the sixteen with Jason Wilcox dropping back to left-back.

First Half

It was a great start to the game with an early goal on 4 minutes, from John Murphy who managed to get his first goal in ten games. City were unable to clear their lines and Murphy was able to latch on the ball in the area, he then rounded Adriano Basso and slotted in to put the Seasiders in front.

With the confidence high Pool went straight on the hunt for a second, Ian Morris skipped past two defenders to fire a fierce shot which was well turned behind by Basso.

Basson managed to deny John Murphy a second goal of the afternoon making a good save. Murphy’s chance was created by debutant Neil Wood who made an impressive start to the game.

City managed to create their first opportunities of the match, David Cotterill shot inches wide after he invited to shoot by the Blackpool defence. Then moment later a looping shot by Bas Savage caught Jones scrambling back towards his goal, but fortunately the shot looped just over the top of the goal

City did find their equaliser on 26 minutes, Steve Brooker finished off a free-kick which was straight off the training ground. Brooker and Murray played the ball between each other which created the opportunity for Brooker to strike the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

An injury then forced the Seasiders into the first change of the match on the half-an-hour mark. Ciaran Donnelly was replaced by Simon Wiles who slotted into the right-midfield position.

Brooker who caused problems for the Seasiders defence in the first half had his second opportunity of the match, his powerful shot was parried by Lee Jones. And it was Bristol who were the better of the two sides going into half-time.

The last action of the half was a double booking. A skirmish between Keigan Parker and David Noble earned the pair a booking each.

Second Half

Brooker then started the second half as he ended the first half, with a couple of chances, the first one, he was about to fire a left-footed shot but was thwarted by a great tackle by Jason Wilcox, the second he shot straight at Lee Jones who saved comfortably.

City continued to create chances, Murray shot was pushed behind by Jones, then Brooker squandered another chance narrowly shooting wide after a neat through-ball, but a late flag meant any goal scored wouldn’t have counted.

City made their first change of the match, Savage being replaces by ex-Sunderland player Marcus Stuart. Pool also made a change giving David Fox his first run out in a tangerine shirt, he replaced Neil Wood. Five minutes later Grayson made his final change of the match, bring Scott Vernon on for Keigan Parker.

With both sides needing three points rather than the draw both looked nervous going forward in the final fifteen, obviously keeping in mind that either side could snatch a later winner.

City made a late double change, Wilkshire and Skuse replaced Cotterill and Russell. David Fox’s only contribution to the match was to pick up a booking.

In the dying seconds Bristol had two opportunities to grab all three points, a free kick on the edge of the area which was fired into the wall. The second one, the better of the two, was a shot by Marcus Stewart which was saved my Lee Jones

Summary

Neither side would of wanted a point out of this match, but in the end a combination a lack of chances for Pool and a lack of finishing from Bristol meant that the two sides had to be content with a point.

Blackpool: L Jones, M Joseph, T Butler, P Clarke, J Wilcox, C Donnelly (31 S Wiles) , K Southern, N Wood (66 D Fox) , I Morris, J Murphy, K Parker (72 S Vernon)

Subs: L Pogliacomi, S Vernon, S Wiles, D Fox, D Warrender

Bristol City A Basso, M Heywood, B Orr, L Carey, C Woodman, D Cotterill (88 L Wilkshire) , A Russell (88 C Skuse) , D Noble, S Murray, B Savage (65 M Stewart) , S Brooker

Subs: L Wilkshire, M Stewart, C Skuse, L Fontaine, S Pearce

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