Cambridge United were unable to chalk any further points to their Sky Bet League One tally as Blackpool came from behind to register a 2-1 victory at Bloomfield Road…
A pulsating start in Lancashire saw Dom Ballard capitalise on a defensive mishap to open his U’s account. However, they were immediately pegged back by Ashley Fletcher’s close-range finish before dangerman Sonny Carey secured the points from a counter-attack in the second half, with the visitors lacking that quality to get themselves back into the match.
Following on from the slender 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic just three days earlier, Neil Harris persevered by naming an unchanged XI. The only change to the matchday squad saw Sullay Kaikai return to the substitutes bench after recovering from an injury which he picked up back in late December.
The Tangerines - also unchanged - arrived in good form thanks to one defeat in 14, but they were on the receiving end of a rapid start for the visitors, who opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock.
Being too cautious when playing from the back, Hayden Coulson was unable to see off James Brophy’s press, who forced a through ball towards Ballard inside the penalty area. The former Blackpool loanee then punished with a smart dink, which trickled over the line owing to Matt Pennington’s miskick.
In response, Steve Bruce’s side started to probe. Carey embarked on an ambitious run on the 6th minute, running into space to pull the trigger from 25 yards out, which was comfortable for Nathan Bishop.
In their next attack, Rob Apter put in a super cross to a lurking Niall Ennis in the six-yard box, who escaped his marker and diverted a header from a tricky angle against the side netting.
It was back to level terms on 16 courtesy of a neat move down the right, an area in the park where the hosts were posing a real threat. A driving run from full-back Odel Offiah in the overlap saw him beat his man for pace and scamper into the danger zone, where he cut back to the experienced Fletcher who tapped home from close range.
Determined to not let the half go stale from here, United won a corner which forced a brief moment of pinball, suiting Kell Watts most who showed good instinct with his back to goal to turn and fire on target from 10 yards, which required Harry Tyrer to remain alert to catch.
Although the U’s couldn’t latch onto that early momentum and build, they had been reacted well to the equaliser and were still posing a threat on the counter.
That was evident through Josh Stokes on the 39th minute who, with the ball sticking to his feet, drove his side into the final third, absorbing nudges on him and forcing a corner, which was recycled back to Brophy whose enticing delivery was just too high for the head of Ballard despite his leap.
As the first half concluded, Harris’ men enjoyed a front-footed spell where they moved the ball quickly and pinned the Seasiders back, with the travelling faithful in good voice as their side looked to pounce. Despite an array of shots, continuous blocks from the hosts ensured it was all to play for at the break.
Coming out of the traps with hunger and desire, Blackpool forced Bishop into an excellent save 47 minutes in when Albie Morgan advanced to Carey on the left with a pinpoint through ball, but he couldn’t drill it past the shot stopper.
Five minutes later, Carey showed some quality on the break to hand his side the lead. After Liam Bennett’s shot was blocked, the versatile attacker spearheaded an attack where he feinted his man and picked out a speculative strike from distance which had too much power.
On the 66th minute, an acrobatic attempt from Morgan after being picked out well in the area was sailing towards goal, but Bishop was there to ensure the one-goal advantage remained.
Needing some inspiration, the changes were rolled as Ben Stevenson was brought on, with attackers Dan Nlundulu and Kaikai also being handed 20 minutes to rescue something for the U’s, who were yet to find their rhythm in the second half.
Their best moment was carved out on the 78th minute when the industrious Stokes played a one-two, which fell back to him where he leant back with his ball to feet and unleashed a curler, but Tyrer was at full stretch to dive to his left.
Late in the evening, and during the three minutes of additional time, substitute Jake Beesley almost sealed it but just directed his shot into the side of the net, which proved to be the final moment as the U’s succumbed to a third consecutive defeat in League One.
Up next, it’s the Cambridgeshire Derby on Saturday (15th March) as Peterborough United make the short journey to a bumper Cledara Abbey Stadium.
Blackpool: Tyrer, Offiah, Pennington, Casey, Coulson, Apter (Silvera, 67’), Evans, Morgan, Carey (Husband, 89’), Fletcher (Beesley, 68’), Ennis (Onomah, 68’)
Subs Not Used: O’Donnell, Gabriel, Baggott
Goalscorers: Fletcher (16’), Carey (53’)
Bookings: Beesley
Cambridge United: Bishop, Bennett, Morrison, Watts, Malone (Kaikai, 68’), Cousins (Longelo, 81’), Digby (Stevenson, 59’), Brophy, Stokes, Kachunga (Nlundulu, 68’), Ballard
Subs Not Used: Stevens, Okedina, Barton
Goalscorers: Ballard (02’)
Bookings: Stokes
Referee: Scott Tallis