AFC Blackpool 1 Garstang 3: Back-to-back home defeats for AFC players

Despite having enough of the game to win it, AFC were unable to break down the visitors’ defence which stood tall to protect their lead.

AFC thought they had opened the scoring after just four minutes when James Hughes found Billy McKenna, whose diving header was deemed offside.

Clever play then saw McKenna exchange passes with Joe Booth but his curling shot was just wide of the post.

However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring after 13 minutes.

A long ball forward found Josh Winder, who spotted Liam Bleeker off his line and chipped the ball into the back of the net.

Full-back Hughes, making his first start for AFC, impressed with his play down the right as a dangerous cross eluded both McKenna and Ben Duffield.

Both teams also had to thank their respective goalkeepers for superb saves, Garstang’s Michael Donlon denying Matt Lawlor from Jamie Thomas’ corner before Bleeker was out quickly to thwart Jonny Hothersall.

AFC’s pressure paid off when Duffield levelled the game on 23 minutes, slotting home from Ryan White’s well-timed pass.

Thomas then showed great skill as he went round five Garstang men, only for the keeper to stop his shot.

Danny Pickering headed a free-kick wide for AFC, who went behind again just before half-time.

Garstang won possession and found Hothersall, who turned his man before sending the ball to the back post where Andrew Murphy fired in to make it 2-1 at half-time.

Five minutes into the second half and the visitors extended their lead when the impressive Winder grabbed his second of the game from the edge of the box.

Looking for an instant response, McKenna sent a cross into the box but nobody could make contact, while Garstang also defended well when a free-kick was sent towards Fran Donaghy.

Bleeker denied Garstang with a save from Murphy, and while AFC had chances, they couldn’t take them.

AFC are back at home again this Saturday when they host Nelson (3pm).

AFC Blackpool: Bleeker, Hughes, Sumner, Lawlor, Donaghy, Booth, Pickering, Thomas, White, Duffield, McKenna. Subs: Buchan, Roberts, Dawson, Ikin, Morris.

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