Pool Panel - Barnsley (h) Won 1-0

Another League game and another win which, considering the current dearth of players available is a great return.  We are clearly struggling to put out a team with Broadfoot and Basham being asked to play an unfamiliar role for both of them.  It’s a testament to the players that they’ve not shirked the responsibility and given their all.

Saturday’s game started brightly, with the team playing with pace and verve, but the final ball wasn’t quite there.  That allowed Barnsley to gain a foothold in the game, and the match settled into more of a stalemate, with a chance for Chopra after some nice interchange of passes being Blackpool’s best chance.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Ferguson taking control of the midfield and driving us forward.  At the moment though, we lack the creativity to take advantage of the possession we have, with moves breaking down in the final third.

When the goal did come, it was from a fantastic long, fast throw from Robinson which the Barnsley defence were unable to cope with, despite the best efforts of Perkins on the line.  On the balance of play, we possibly just about deserved to win; certainly we didn’t look like losing, with Gilks rarely tested.

The team has the potential to really build on this good start.  With the addition of a quality right back; a creative midfielder to link play and the new players developing an understanding I see no reason why we can’t be a force in the League.

STAR MAN: Barry Ferguson

Middlesbrough away - 17 August

We are running a minibus to the Middlesbrough away game on 17th August.  

Cost is dependent on numbers but would not expect it to be any more than £10 p/p.  

We'll be leaving Leeds Railway station at 10.30 and will be going up the A1 and A19 to Boro - so can pick up en route if you want.  

We've still got spaces left if you want to go. 

Please get in touch with Phil if interested.

Season 2013/2014 - Game 1 - Doncaster (a) Win 3-1

After all the frustrations over the summer as we struggled to assemble a squad, to win and score three goals is a bonus. 

Blackpool started brightly, creating a few chances, with Davies leading the line well.  We’ve been lacking that type of player for a while so all credit to Paul Ince in identifying the need and getting a good player in. We took the lead by reacting well to a loose ball in the area, eventually tapping home into an empty net after twice coming close.  After that, we were dominant to the point where I felt a little complacency set in, with us waiting for a goal to come rather than pressing home the advantage. 

As a consequence, Doncaster got a foothold in the game and eventually scored from a corner.  While I have nothing but praise for Kirk Broadfoot as a centre-half, he is not the solution at right back.  Better teams than Doncaster will target that frailty and the sooner we resolve the lack of cover there, the better.

Despite them then having periods of possession, Gilks was rarely troubled but there was an element of frustration that we might have let two points slip, especially when Ince was clean through but shot wide.  Gary Mackenzie then rose to the occasion with a proper centre half’s header.  The icing on the cake came with a great finish from Ince into an empty net from distance.

All in all, a good result, better than the performance, but we can build from here.

STARMAN:  Barry Ferguson

Yorkshire Seasiders 10 Year Birthday

Yorkshire Seasiders are ten years old this year.

To celebrate we are having a get together over Sunday Lunch at the Bistro in the brewery Taps in Leeds. 21st July, 12.30 for 13.00. (two minutes from the Station and opposite an NCP Car Park) A great Traditional 3 course Sunday Lunch, a glass of wine and obviously plenty of bante all for £20.

If anyone wishes to attend please let Wilf  know as places are limited

Fixtures

We're not allowed to post full fixtures due to copyright restrictions, but I think we are OK to post an overview of fixtures.

These are Blackpool's Yorkshire related games for the 2013-2014 Season:

SAT 03AUG 2013 Doncaster Rovers A

SAT 10AUG 2013 Barnsley H

SAT 28SEP 2013  Huddersfield Town A

SAT 30NOV 2013 Sheffield Wednesday H

THU 26DEC 2013 Leeds United H

WED 01JAN 2014 Sheffield Wednesday A

SAT 18JAN 2014   Barnsley A

SAT 25JAN 2014   Doncaster Rovers H

SAT 22MAR 2014  Huddersfield Town H

SAT 12APR 2014   Leeds United A

Nothing to beat - UP THE POOL!

Yorkshire Seasiders Rail Ale Trail - Day Out

Saturday 22nd June marks the return of the Yorkshire Seasiders Rail Ale Trail day out. 

The idea is to catch a "yorkshire roamer" train from Leeds and stop off at each station along the way for a pint and a chat.  Fixtures will have come out by then so we will have plenty to discuss regarding the first couple of month's games.

The idea is to meet in Leeds at the Scarborough Taps for around 11.30.  We will then catch the 11.55 from Leeds to Dewsbury, arriving at 12.06 - the fun will then begin!

Hope to see you then!

Last game of the season - Bolton (a) Draw 2-2

As the season comes to an end Blackpool end with the kind of form that could and should have seen us so much higher in the table.  At Bolton we started brightly and could have scored a couple before Matt Phillips scored with a fine strike from outside the area.  With Ludo Sylvestre continuing in a rich vein of goalscoring we were in absolute control of the game as three minutes of injury time were shown. In a crazy couple of minutes we conceded twice, the second due to an unfortunate deflection.

While there were no more goals in the second half, we demonstrated the other side to our improvement with a solid defensive performance, while we still looked dangerous on the break.

This was maybe the swansong for this group of players as Paul Ince looks to put his stamp onto the team ready for a campaign hopefully looking upwards for next season.  We have the core of a decent side, and after this season’s relegation scare, the Chairman should be looking to back his manager’s plans to rebuild the side in order to be competitive.  I’d expect to see the overall squad numbers reduce, with maybe four or five incomers to strengthen the side, particularly up front.

Equally as important, I trust the pitch gets the best possible attention to give us a surface worthy of the passing football the team can produce.  It’s been a real hindrance this season and the public deserve better after signing up for the discounted season tickets.

A season that promised so much at least sees us still in the Championship.  Onwards and upwards.

STARMAN: Neal Eardley