AFC Blackpool 0 Barnoldswick Town 0

The start was delayed for eight minutes as an accident caused most of the Barnoldswick team to arrive at the ground only 15 minutes before the scheduled start.

The game was fast and furious without either goalkeeper being tested. Then on 20 minutes Scott Byrom who was back in the team due to injuries made himself an opening down the right of the Blackpool defence, he weaved his way into the penalty area but blasted his shot way over Adam Caunce’s goal, a wasted opportunity.

Two minutes later Paul Walker played a great ball over the top of the Blackpool defence to Joel Melia, he in turn fed Byrom who crossed low into the penalty area, James Crorken slicing the ball wide under pressure from the Blackpool defence. A minute later John Beckwith had a great chance after Melia played the ball to him, his shot was blocked for a corner.

Town looking dangerous at this point were unable to trouble Caunce. At the other end Ben Singleton and Lloyd Balazs both had shots that were either wide or deflected for a corner.

Then high drama with a minute left of the half. A ball in from the Town left to the far post saw Town keeper Scott Gardner dive to smother the ball, a Blackpool player then kicked him as he lay on the floor, Gardner retaliated and was shown the red card. The Referee then appeared to take the ball to the penalty spot, then seemed to change his mind and awarded Town a free-kick for the initial kick on Gardner and booked the Blackpool player. Town immediately responded taking Harry Thompson off and Stewart Airdrie coming on in goal.

Blackpool started on the offensive in the second half, Airdrie having to save low down from a 25 yards shot. Then again on the hour a long throw into the Town penalty area saw Singleton head goal-wards, Airdrie again diving to save. Town then made their first substitution, taking Kieron Lee off and replacing him with new signing Michael Woodvine (61). In their next attack Town won a corner on the Blackpool left, the ball was crossed almost under the Blackpool cross-bar, Caunce dropped the ball and a Town player managed to get a shot in but it was blocked to safety.

Blackpool were at this point throwing everything at the Town defence, Singleton breaking clear with a clear run at Airdrie, but once again he was equal to it and made a brilliant save. Town should possibly have had a penalty after 75 minutes; Melia weaving his way past two defenders was hindered just inside the area but by keeping on his feet the Referee gave nothing. With 3 minutes left Town were awarded a free-kick 5 yards outside the Blackpool penalty area, Byrom took it and rattled the Blackpool cross-bar with Caunce stood rooted to the spot. A minute later Anthony Pollard went on a forceful run, feeding Woodvine he in turn raced forward but his shot flew inches wide of Caunce’s left hand post.

Given the importance of this match Town can congratulate themselves for the ten man display in the second half.