Blackpool 1-0 Rochdale: Sullay Kaikai bags the winner as Seasiders continue impressive home form with scrappy victory

Sullay Kaikai’s first-half effort was the difference between the two sides, the winger drilling home after 20 minutes with just his third goal of the season.

Neil Critchley’s side had dominated the opening period and perhaps ought to have made life more comfortable for themselves, but they became disjointed in the second-half and were eventually forced to hold on for the three points.

Nevertheless, the Seasiders clung on for the win which means they remain unbeaten on home turf since October.

Since the 1-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic, Blackpool have won eight of their subsequent nine home games in all competitions.

It was vital Critchley’s outfit were able to get back to winning ways after suffering back-to-back postponements since their 2-0 defeat against Ipswich Town.

In the process, Blackpool have reduced the gap to the play-offs with games in hand still to play on the majority of sides.

Ellis Simms came in for Elliot Embleton as the Seasiders made one change to the side that lost at Ipswich Town in their last outing.

Back-to-back postponements followed that trip to Portman Road, which gave Matty Virtue valuable time to recover from a dead leg and keep his spot in the side.

Ethan Robson was left out despite recently returning from a knock, while Gary Madine remains sidelined with a groin issue.

Elsewhere, Daniel Gretarsson, Keshi Anderson and CJ Hamilton remain long-term absentees, although Gretarsson and Hamilton are on the road to recovery.

Rochdale, who came into this game on the back of just one win in 10, made one change to the side that were beaten 4-1 at home against MK Dons in their last outing.

Blackpool made the brighter start but the first chance of the evening came Rochdale’s way.

Jordan Thorniley, preferred at centre-back for the fifth game running, was caught out by a rudimentary long ball over the top.

Former Chorley man Alex Newby went clear through on goal, but thankfully for the Seasiders Chris Maxwell was quick off his line to thwart Newby’s lob.

Blackpool hit back with two good chances of their own, starting with a Sullay Kaikai free-kick that caused havoc inside the Rochdale box.

Dale keeper Gavin Bazunu made a fine stop to deny Kenny Dougall before Thorniley’s shot on the rebound was deflected over.

The Seasiders had the ball in the back of the net from the resulting corner as Jerry Yates tapped home from Thorniley’s flick-on, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.

Given the open nature of proceedings, it didn’t come as a major surprise when Blackpool opened the scoring after 20 minutes against the league’s worst defence.

Kaikai, who had enjoyed a strong start, was the man to find the breakthrough as he drilled home through a sea of bodies after Matty Virtue had done well to keep a deep cross alive at the back post.

While Rochdale were nervy at the back, they did pose a threat at the other end and Maxwell was called into action once again to push Stephen Humprhys’ 30-yard free-kick over the bar.

Pool continued to pose an attacking threat themselves, Yates seeing an ambitious effort on his weak foot headed behind for a corner.

Critchley’s side remained calm and composed in possession, constantly probing for gaps to exploit.

Their patience almost paid off five minutes before the interval when Simms’ rasping cross was pushed away by Bazunu, almost into the path of Virtue who would have had a simple tap-in at the back post.

The half ended with Rochdale seeing their penalty appeals waved away by the referee after Oliver Rathbone had gone down in the Blackpool box.

Pool controlled the majority of the first-half but they needed a second to settle themselves and put clear daylight in between themselves and Dale.

They nearly got it right at the start of the second half too as Kaikai clipped the outside of the post with a 30-yard free-kick.

The Seasiders were given a bit of a let-off when a clipped ball bounced beyond Ekpiteta and Thorniley, allowing Humprhys to surge through on goal. Thankfully for Pool the Rochdale man overran it and the ball bobbled out of play.

It came at a cost though, as Ekpiteta indicated to the sidelines that he was unable to continue and hobbled off clutching his hamstring.

The defender, the latest Pool player to fall victim to hamstring trouble, was replaced by Luke Garbutt, which saw James Husband move into the centre.

Maxwell also required some medical attention a few moments later, but Pool’s captain was able to play on despite taking a knock to his right hand.

With 20 minutes remaining, Critchley made his second change as he brought on Grant Ward for Kenny Dougall.

The second-half was, by and large, a scrappy affair, with the Seasiders unable to keep hold of possession for any period of time.

Dale began to see more and more of the ball and, with 13 minutes remaining, wasted a good chance to level as substitute Jimmy Keohane headed wastefully wide from Newby’s chipped cross.

Pool finally created another chance nine minutes from time when Virtue laid the ball off into the path of Kevin Stewart, but the midfielder was unable to keep his shot down.

With just two minutes left on the clock, Dale had the ball in the back of the net when Rathbone headed into the back of the empty net. But the referee signalled for a Blackpool free-kick due to Maxwell being hauled to the ground following a corner into a crowded box.

Blackpool were eventually able to hold on during the five minutes of stoppage time with relative ease to claim a hard-earned three points.

TEAMS

Blackpool: Maxwell, Gabriel, Ekpiteta (Garbutt), Thorniley, Husband, Dougall (Ward), Stewart, Virtue, Kaikai, Simms, Yates

Subs not used: Sims, Turton, Mitchell, Embleton, Lubala

Rochdale: Bazunu, Osho (McLaughlin), McNulty, O’Connell, Morley, Rathbone, Done (Keohane), Shaughnessy (Baah), Lund, Newby, Humprhys

Subs not used: Lynch, McShane, Roberts, Grant

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

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