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Carlisle 1 Blackpool 3 - full match report
WHEN Jason Euell was playing for Jamaica against the USA in a World Cup 2006 qualifier, it's pretty certain he wasn't dreaming of one day turning out for Blackpool on a soaking wet night in Carlisle.
While Cumbria has much to offer – England's highest peak, Hadrian's Wall, over-priced toasted tea-cakes in the cafes of Ambleside – it is fair to say that Jamaica edges it in the glamour stakes.
It says much for Euell's experience and professionalism that on such a dismal night, in front of a lowly crowd of 1,697, he turned in such an impressive display, bagging two quality, well-taken goals.
Yes it is early days, and this contest amounted to little more than a frisky warm-up exercise, but Euell already appears to be justifying Ian Holloway's decision to sign him.
With Brett Ormerod's close range strike sandwiched between Euell's brace, it meant a satisfying night and continued Pool's unbeaten pre-season run (a pithy penalty shoot-out defeat to Rushden doesn't count).
The Seasiders' victory was well-earned, especially as they they started pretty badly and had to show plenty of bottle to steady the ship and recover from conceding an early goal.
This they eventually did and emerged from a tricky game as worthy winners.
Carlisle tested Holloway's men. They have a side containing plenty of solid, decent pros (including former Blackpool and Leeds defender Ian Harte) and for the first half hour bossed proceedings.
It was evenly contested throughout, but Pool – helped enormously by Euell's interventions – justified their win.
Mind you it would have been different had the hosts converted more of their early opportunities. Carlisle came out of the traps with intent, fired up by a blast from their manager Greg Abbott after an under-par display during a 2-0 home defeat by at the hands of Middlesbrough at the weekend.
In theory, Pool should also have been fired up. After all Holloway was also an unhappy bunny on Saturday, locking his squad in the dressing room following the draw at Rochdale and launching a verbal tirade that left the dressing room walls – and the ear-drums of several players – vibrating.
However, the new manager's hands are tied because of a lack of players and a delay in getting new ones in.
Thus he has a relatively small pool to pick from, and his selection last night wasn't made any easier by injuries to Danny Coid, Rob Edwards and Daniel Nardiello.
That lack of depth showed as Carlisle created several good chances early on.
Richard Keogh headed the hosts in front on 11 minutes, displaying good movement to meet a Marc Bridge-Wilkinson corner and plant it firmly past Matt Gilks.
But crucially they couldn't increase their tally.
Matt Robson headed a Graham Kavanagh cross over and curled a good effort narrowly side after beating Alex Baptiste.
Pool gradually found their feet and equalised just after the half hour when David Vaughan's cross into the box was met by Ben Burgess. Euell pounced on the loose ball, beat a defender courtesy of a sumptuous first touch and slotted home a cool, angled finish.
Ormerod put the Seasiders ahead seconds before the break, Vaughan swinging in a free-kick and Burgess cushioning a clever header into his fellow striker's path. Ormerod couldn't really miss.
A slightly fortunate 2-1 lead, mainly because Pool had two efforts on target all half.
The result was put beyond doubt 15 minutes from the end when Euell struck again.
It was part genius by the 32-year-old, part horrible defending, as he charged through the heart of the Carlisle back line before converting from close range.
Holloway's side had a let off towards the end when former Preston forward Joe Anyinsah struck the bar, but in general Pool soaked up pressure well and defended resolutely.
All in all a very good workout and a satisfying result.
It's clear though that the squad is still woefully short.
New faces are required and, given that the QPR game is 10 days away, required fast.
Let's just hope Mr Belokon is in a good mood when he meets with Holloway today.
The truth is he needs to supply the money to bring in the players the manager wants if the Seasiders are going to make it four seasons in the Championship.
POOL: Gilks, Baptiste, Evatt (Anthony Brann 72), Crainey, Martin (Haining 45), Taylor-Fletcher (Mitchley 45), Vaughan, Euell, Ormerod (Clarke 45), De Vries (Demontagnac 45), Burgess (Southern 45)
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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