Vassell: Time for show of strength at Blackpool

The club’s top scorer, who has 13 goals to his name in all competitions this season, returned from injury in coming off the bench for Mark Cullen to bag the match-winning goal against Hartlepool United last week.

The hard-fought 2-1 win saw Pool clinch their third victory on the spin but Vassell wasn’t the only one to make an impact, with Jordan Flores and Ian Black also impressing off the bench.

Vassell, who is now back to full fitness after recovering earlier than expected from a broken foot, paid tribute to Pool’s squad depth and predicts it will be of huge benefit for his side between now and the end of the season.

“We’ve got a great squad and hopefully now it will show,” he said.

“Blacky (Ian Black) won every second ball he was involved when he came on. Jordan (Flores) got the ball down and got us playing too.

“Cully (Mark Cullen) had done a brilliant job up top on his own. It was so tough for him up there but he ran himself into the ground, and if I had a chance to score I had to take it.

“We’re in a good place as a team right now. The most important thing is we keep looking to the next game.”

Vassell broke a bone in his foot in February but recovered quicker than expected and was delighted to mark his return with a goal – although it came in bizarre circumstances, with his cross inadvertently going in.

It means Vassell retains the mantle of Blackpool’s top scorer after Brad Potts had taken advantage of his spell out of the side to take his own tally to 12 goals.

But Vassell has no interest in personal achievements and is just glad his goal contributed to yet another vital win for Gary Bowyer’s men.

“I’m buzzing to be fair,” he added. “I’m lucky and hopefully now I can have a good end to the season.

“For the goal, Bright (Osayi-Samuel) set me up the first time and I should have done better, but with the rebound I tried to put it in a good area and thankfully it went in.

“It’s a great three points. I’m delighted to score a goal any way they go in, but the most important thing at the minute is three points.

“It’s a massive game against Luton and that’s all we’re focusing on. We’re not worrying about the play-offs or anything like that – it’s purely our next game.”

The club has announced it is offering free tickets to emergency service staff and armed forces personnel for their home game against Grimsby Town a week tomorrow.

The initiative, dubbed “Services Saturday”, comes after ticket prices were slashed to £5 for the Hartlepool game.