AFC Darwen 7 AFC Blackpool 3: AFC humbled in league opener

The day’s heavy rainfall posed no problems for Darwen’s 3G pitch and it took the hosts just four minutes to open the scoring.

Defender Danny Ashburner was unmarked to head past Alex Cameron from the corner.

While the visitors struggled to get organised, the hosts added a second as Jamie Edwards glided through the defence and slotted home.

Darwen’s third was a penalty for handball, though Connor Ikin could do little to prevent the contact, and Ryan Steele netted from the spot although Alex Cameron guessed right.

AFC finally registered an effort on target in the 27th minute but Jamie Thomas’ shot from distance flew straight into the keeper’s arms.

An off-balance Joe Robinson fired wide from John-Jo Morris’ cross and then Corey Harrison’s shot rebounded off a post before Blackpool pulled one back on 40 minutes.

A clearance to the edge of the box fell for Conah Bishop and the full-back fired home.

The final three minutes of a crazy half brought two more goals.

Steele slotted home a second penalty after Carnan Dawson slid in, then at the other end winger Morris lifted the ball over the keeper to make it 4-2 at the interval.

Blackpool started the second half more brightly as Thomas fired just wide from a free-kick. However, they conceded a fifth when Cameron’s throw to Thomas was intercepted by Sam Knowles, who shot over the keeper.

Cameron was out quickly to deny striker Steele a hat-trick, then Blackpool cut the gap to 5-3 when Adam Sumner converted a Thomas cross from inside the six-yard box, this first goal for the club.

But any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Steele’s tame-looking free-kick beat Cameron to complete his hat-trick and Leon Creech rounded the defence before scoring from a tight angle. Blackpool are due to visit Bacup Borough tomorrow (8pm)

Blackpool: Cameron, Bishop, Rossall, Ekin, Dawson, Sumner, Thomas, Robinson, Harrison, Buchan, Morris. Subs: McKenna, Pickering. Duffield, Roberts, Aspinall.