Blackpool 3 Aston Villa U21s 2: Seasiders overturn deficit for Jersey Mike’s Trophy group win

Goals from Zac Ashworth, Jerry Yates and Jordan Brown gave Blackpool victory in their final Jersey Mike’s Trophy group stage match at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday.

Needing a win to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages, things initially looked grim for Ian Evatt’s players when Fletcher Boyd put Villa’s youngsters ahead on 29 minutes.

Ashworth then levelled with half-time three minutes away, after which Yates’ 70th-minute penalty and Brown’s stunning effort nine minutes later handed the Seasiders victory.

Markie Meade pulled a goal back in added time on a night when, as well as a win, there was another positive for Blackpool with Fraser Horsfall’s second-half appearance off the bench after being out since April.

Evatt made five changes to the starting XI beaten by Mansfield Town in League One last weekend.

Those changes included Ilmari Niskanen switching flanks to a wing-back’s role on the right, opening the door for Finley Munroe to feature on the left.

Hayden Coulson, who could also have occupied that role, found himself in the centre of midfield alongside Leighton Clarkson as Brown shielded the back three.

The Seasiders certainly began brightly, forcing three saves in as many minutes from Villa keeper James Wright.

Dion Charles should have done better than shoot straight at him when getting behind the defence, though Munroe twice forced Wright into low saves.

Clarkson also volleyed wide from a Munroe cross as the Middlesbrough loanee proved Blackpool’s principal attacking threat in the opening stages.

Things soon began to settle down as the match slipped into a pattern of the Seasiders being patient in possession but unable to cut open their visitors.

Charles hammered another shot off target before Villa led with the half-hour approaching.

A well-worked move ended with Boyd receiving the ball before advancing into the area and firing past Luke Southwood.

Dale Taylor flicked over another Munroe cross before Pool finally levelled with half-time three minutes away.

Munroe’s inswinging corner was headed back across goal by Andy Lyons and Ashworth converted from close range.

Evatt freshened up his team at the break, introducing Josh Bowler, Tom Bloxham and Yates with Niskanen, Taylor and Charles the men to make way.

Bowler curled an early effort off target from a short corner before a return to what was seen for much of the first half: Blackpool with the possession and Villa looking to counter.

One such break saw Meade race into the Seasiders’ area midway through the half, forcing Olly Casey into a last-ditch challenge.

His efforts were rewarded four minutes later when Blackpool took the lead.

Wright failed to deal with Bowler’s cross, the ball eventually reaching Munroe who was hauled to the floor.

Referee Andrew Miller pointed to the spot and Yates sent Wright the wrong way from 12 yards.

The keeper kept out Bowler’s close-range effort but could do nothing 11 minutes from time when a short corner was played to Brown 20 yards out.

He sent a curling effort over Wright and in off the underside of the bar to give the Seasiders added breathing space.

There was still time for Meade to drill home Villa’s second in added time, but Blackpool’s win lifted them into second in Group B, leaving Crewe Alexandra requiring a point from their final game against table-topping Wigan Athletic to leapfrog the Seasiders.

Blackpool: Southwood, Lyons, Casey, Ashworth (Horsfall 72), Niskanen (Bowler 46), Clarkson, Brown, Coulson (Morgan 72), Munroe, Taylor (Bloxham 46), Charles (Yates 46). Subs not used: Upton, Hunter.

Aston Villa U21: Wright, Burgess, Carroll, Routh, Fortes, Quinn, Jenner (Johnson 75), Mulley, Boyd (McGrath 58), Lynskey (Blake 58), Cotcher (Meade 58). Subs not used: Asemota, Bloomfield, Atkins.

Referee: Andrew Miller.

Attendance: 823.