Blackpool win first friendly but need keeper as Doyle quits for a quid

Gary Bowyer begins his search for a new goalkeeper today after getting off to a winning start as Blackpool manager.
Two-goal Danny PhilliskirkTwo-goal Danny Philliskirk
Two-goal Danny Philliskirk

Two goals from Danny Philliskirk and a Jamille Matt header earned the Seasiders a 3-0 win in Bowyer’s first game in charge, a behind-closed-doors game in Scotland against Dundee United.

However, Pool were without their former keeper and captain Colin Doyle, who sealed a £1 switch to Bradford earlier in the day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 31-year-old activated a release clause in his Pool contract following relegation, enabling him to join the League One Bantams on a two-year deal. It leaves Kyle Letheren as Pool’s only senior keeper.

Doyle, who made 35 appearances last season, was halfway through his two-year Seasiders deal.

Bowyer is searching for a replacement and aims to sign one before Pool return from their training camp next week.

His team’s first run-out yesterday afternoon was at their St Andrews base against a Dundee United first-team side.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pool’s fellow Tangerines are rebuilding after relegation from the Scottish Premier League last season, though they did field Scotland defender Paul Dixon.

But it was Philliskirk who caught the eye in an all-action first-half display, scoring from the spot before curling a superb shot into the corner of the net from 25 yards.

Dundee made 11 changes at the break but Blackpool continued to have the upper hand and added a third goal.

Brad Potts found space out wide and his pinpoint cross was headed home by Matt, who celebrated his first Pool goal after a short move from Fleetwood.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And two-goal Philliskirk hopes it’s a sign of things to come for the Seasiders.

He said: “We’ve started as we mean to go on, by winning our first game. We can’t stop here because everything wasn’t perfect but we’ll keep working and will hopefully improve.

“Obviously it’s just a pre-season friendly but it was good to get the legs going, keep a clean sheet and win the game.

“Dundee United were a couple of weeks ahead of us and are near peak fitness, so it was challenging but it was a good game.”