AFC Blackpool 1 Whitchurch Alport 4: Match report

First division leaders Whitchurch maintained their 100 per cent start but were made to work hard by 10-man Blackpool.
AFC BlackpoolAFC Blackpool
AFC Blackpool

The home side took the lead but faced an uphill struggle to avoid a third successive Hallmark Security League defeat after Dan Mottram was sent off on 20 minutes.

There was a surprise return for Aaron Fleming as AFC were forced into several changes and it was from his corner that Martin Baird opened the scoring after 15 minutes.

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Blackpool continued to hold their own but the major turning point soon followed when Mottram was shown a straight red card for a foul.

Blackpool celebrate Martin Baird's goal Picture: SAM WALLISBlackpool celebrate Martin Baird's goal Picture: SAM WALLIS
Blackpool celebrate Martin Baird's goal Picture: SAM WALLIS

Alport equalised on 31 minutes,when keeper Callum Kirkland was unlucky not to keep out a Ben Mills free-kick which went under the wall.

However, the hosts remained competitive and deserved to be on terms at half-time.

The hosts went close to regaining the lead when Alport keeper Cam Phelps denied Baird a second.

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The visitors finally made their one-man advantage count on the hour through Luke Wally.

Blackpool celebrate Martin Baird's goal Picture: SAM WALLISBlackpool celebrate Martin Baird's goal Picture: SAM WALLIS
Blackpool celebrate Martin Baird's goal Picture: SAM WALLIS

The final scoreline was harsh on Blackpool as the visitors scored two more in five minutes, through Mike Blundell on 75 minutes and then a second for Mills.

Mark Williams took charge of the team in the absence of manager Dave Worthington and said: “From my angle the sending off was harsh and it totally changed the game.

“I couldn’t have asked anyh more from the lads, who grafted and stayed in the game until tiredness kicked in.

“We move on to Holker Old Boys on Wednesday and need to start turning some promising displays into positive results.”

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