Blackpool Youth 3
Wrexham Youth 1
Football League Youth Alliance (North West Conference)

Match Report

The youth side’s four-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end at Blackpool a fortnight ago as the hosts ran out 3-1 winners on a frustrating morning for Steve Cooper’s side. “Everything that could go wrong first half went wrong,” Steve remarked after the game.

The Dragons started sloppily and conceded a corner that led to Blackpool’s opening goal in the 10th minute. The corner was curled in but not dealt with and the ball sailed directly into the back of Vinnie Whelan’s net. “We then panicked a little bit,” added Steve. “And we never got to grips with their up-and-at-them game plan.”

On 20 minutes the home side wasted a great chance to double their lead when Vinnie brought one of the opposition players down inside the penalty area. But the Irish keeper stood firm and saved the resulting spot kick. However the Seasiders continued to dominate and did double their lead just five minutes after the penalty miss when from a breakaway the ball struck the hand of Lee Jones inside the penalty area and, even though there was little the young defender could do about it, the referee pointed to the spot again. This time the home side didn’t waste the opportunity and converted the spot kick to make it 2-0.

And just two minutes later it was 3-0 when a dangerous ball was whipped into the Dragons area, again it wasn’t dealt with, and a home forward managed to scuff the ball to Whelan’s right and into the net. At the other end George Stewart made headway down the right and played in Mark Head but, with the chance of a free shot at goal near the penalty spot, the striker completely missed his kick. Then, just before the break, Luke Carding put over a great centre from the left but Head’s shot was directed straight at the keeper when he looked certain to score.

“Instead of being back in the game we were still 3-0 down,” said Steve. “So myself and Joey had a few choice words to say at half time. And second half we absolutely battered them – and Blackpool hardly even got into our half!”

Substitute Obi Anoruo missed a one-on-one opportunity, and George Stewart had the chance to lift the ball over the keeper’s head and into the unguarded net but the keeper managed to get back and tip the ball over the bar. But the improved second half performance finally got its reward when Obi was pulled down by the keeper inside the box and Lee Jones dispatched the spot kick to the keeper’s right.

“I thought then that we had a chance to get something from the game but we kept missing chances. It was a frustrating morning. But you can’t play like we did for the first 45 minutes and think you’re unlucky – it doesn’t work like that!”