Blackpool boss emphasises the importance of FA Cup success

That’s according to Blackpool boss Neil Critchley, who is expecting a tough encounter when the Seasiders take on the League Two newcomers in the second round at the end of the month.

Pool’s reward for beating Eastbourne Borough on Sunday is a trip to Wetherby Road on November 28, with a spot in the third round for the winners.

That would be history-making for Harrogate, who have never previously reached that stage of the competition.

Despite Blackpool’s rich heritage in the FA Cup, Critchley insists the second round tie is just as significant for his side as it is for Simon Weaver’s outfit.

Critchley joked: “It’s another away game!

“It’s a tough draw against a team that is obviously on the up after getting promoted last season and they’ve started well in League Two.

“The carrot of getting to the third round is big for both clubs. I believe they’ve never been past the second round, so they’ll be highly motivated.

“We have to go and produce a good performance and do our best to get to the third round, which will be our aim.”

Blackpool sealed their passage through to the second round in comfortable fashion at the weekend, easing to a 3-0 win against Eastbourne.

The Seasiders had to remain patient against their National League South opponents, but once Gary Madine broke the deadlock on 58 minutes, the result never looked in doubt.

Madine would go on to get a second goal before Jerry Yates made sure of the victory in stoppage-time.

“They’re no-win games in some respects, you’re expected to win,” Critchley said.

“When you win, you’ve done your job. But then you’ve only got to look at the results over the weekend and the amount of shocks there’s been.

“I watched Oxford City beat Northampton on Monday night and they deservedly beat them too.

“We made our game relatively comfortable. The amount of games that went to penalties and extra-time, quite a few teams scraped through, but ours was quite straightforward really. We won 3-0, we hit the post twice and a couple off the line.

“I was really pleased we were able to get through and now our aim is to get past Harrogate as well.”

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