Barnsley 2-1 Blackpool: Seasiders suffer late loss as 2026 woes continue
Blackpool suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Barnsley.
Blackpool’s misery at the beginning of 2026 continued with a 2-1 defeat away to Barnsley at Oakwell.
A David McGoldrick brace, either side of one from Ashley Fletcher, helped the South Yorkshire outfit to all three points - with the winner coming in second half stoppage time.
The Seasiders have now lost three games on the bounce at the start of the new calendar year as their woes with a lack of personnel mount up once again.
Blackpool’s first half chance came their way in the opening exchanges. Tom Bloxham slid into the box in an attempt to turn a CJ Hamilton cross towards goal, but Owen Goodman reacted quickly, coming off his line to make an important block.
Down the other end, a good opening came the way of Adam Phillips - who pulled his shot wide of the target.
On the 23rd minute, Bloxham should’ve put the Seasiders in front. Fletcher did well to win the ball back high up the field and find his teammate in the box, but the ex-Shrewsbury Town man took too long in releasing his shot, and gave Goodman the chance to make a save.
Ian Evatt’s side were quickly made to regret not making the most of that opportunity, with a mistake coming from Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
The Birmingham City man simply gifted the ball to McGoldrick with a careless pass, allowing the Barnsley forward to finish from distance with the goal empty.
Blackpool’s first chance to pull level came through Bloxham, but Goodman once again left him frustrated, with a big save at his front post.
The Tykes were fortunate to keep 11 men on the pitch in the closing stages of the first half, as Jonathan Bland avoided a second yellow card for a shirt pull.
Following the restart, Patrick Kelly had a big chance to double Barnsley’s lead, but leant back as he released his shot, and put the ball well over.
A couple of headed opportunities came Olly Casey’s way in the Seasiders’ search of an equaliser, with both going straight at the keeper.
The next chance fell Fletcher’s way, as the forward levelled the scores with the help of a big deflection to beat Goodman.
Conor Hourihane’s side retook the lead in the closing stages, with McGoldrick slotting past Peacock-Farrell after a quick break up the field from the Reds.
Blackpool FC: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Kamarl Grant, Olly Casey, Zac Ashworth, Andy Lyons (51’), Jordan Brown (81’), George Honeyman, Josh Bowler (71’), CJ Hamilton, Tom Bloxham (71’), Ashley Fletcher.
Substitutes: Franco Ravizzoli, Lee Evans (71’), Niall Ennis (71’), Scott Banks (51’), Ryan Finnigan (81’), Terry Bondo, Oluchukwu Nwankwo.
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