AFC Blackpool 3 Daisy Hill 1: Thomas hat-trick seals back-to-back wins

AFC Blackpool celebrate Jamie Thomas' hat-trick against Daisy Hill Picture: ADAM GEE

Squires Gate beaten by Burscough in last match for a month

This was one of three NWCL games played on the night before lockdown, and as it was also the final game before Remembrance Sunday a minute’s silence was impeccably observed by a crowd of 76.

Daisy Hill arrived at Jepson Way with no points to show for their first three games and both sides were fully committed from the off.

Thomas gave Mechanics the lead after eight minutes, getting on the end of a Joe Robinson through-ball, with claims for offside dismissed by the officials.

The visitors from Westhoughton tried to respond but Thomas doubled AFC’s lead on 29 minutes.

Thomas himself won a free-kick five metres outside the box and his set-piece left the keeper rooted to the spot.

Daisy Hill threw everything at Mechs and this paid off on 37 minutes, when Joseph Mullarkey got the better of the defence to give his side hope at half-time.

But the hosts took a grip on the contest after the break, applying pressure in attack as Corey Harrision and Fran Donaghy kept things tight at the back.

Their third goal on 54 minutes came from another Thomas free-kick, this time following a foul on Rich Seear just outside the box.

Daisy Hill refused to surrender and were given a glimmer of hope when defender Donaghy was shown a second yellow card with 10 minutes remaining.

But the visitors too had a player sent off five minutes later, though two red cards did not reflect a match played in good spirit, and AFC were able to close out their second win in three league games. The victory lifts Martin Baird’s side five places to 11th going into the four-week lockdown.

Blackpool: Marment, Whitehead, Ikin, Harrison, Sumner, Donaghy, Morris, Robinson, Duffield, Thomas, Seear; subs used: Aspinall, Buchan, Leyland; not used: Dawson, Hall.

A NWCFL statement reads: “The health and well-being of all officials, players and spectators has always been the main priority of the league and our clubs have invested considerable time and money in ensuring grounds are Covid-19 secure.

“We are naturally disappointed that football at Steps 3-6 has had to stop when these measures have been in place. However, like many sectors impacted by Covid-19, the current situation is beyond our control.

“We will work with the FA on plans for resuming the season once we are in a position to do so.”

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