Blackpool 1-2 Bradford City: Seasiders suffer back-to-back defeats at start of 2026
Blackpool were defeated 2-1 by Bradford City at Bloomfield Road.
Blackpool were on the end of a 2-1 defeat to Bradford City in their first home outing of 2026.
Aden Baldwin edged the visitors in front during the first half, before Ashley Fletcher’s 15th goal of the season levelled the scores ahead of the hour mark.
Will Swan edged the Bantams in front again in the 67th minute, as the Yorkshire outfit bounced back from their New Year’s Day defeat to Mansfield Town.
Meanwhile, Ian Evatt’s head into a break from League One action for the FA Cup with back-to-back losses after their disappointing day out away to Port Vale on Thursday.
Following a quiet start to the contest, Baldwin fired Bradford in front in the 25th minute. The defender remained alert in the box, and reacted quickly to fire a bouncing ball past Bailey Peacock-Farrell and into the roof of the net.
Moments after, the 28-year-old nearly added another, with a headed attempt going just over the bar.
Scott Banks had Blackpool’s first real chance to score ahead of the break, as he saw his fierce shot from the left blocked behind.
Danny Imray was also able to carve open some opportunities in the final moments of the first half. The wing-back was able to feed a good ball into Fletcher in the box, with the shot being placed over the target, before striking the post with a cross from the right side.
Following the restart, Blackpool were able to find their way back into the game.
A pass over the top from Andy Lyons was played perfectly into the path of Fletcher - who calmly controlled the ball, before knocking a shot past Sam Walker.
The Bradford keeper was able to match Imray on the Seasiders’ next attempt, as Evatt’s side looked to quickly take the lead.
Peacock-Farrell was also called into action down the other end, as he pushed away a shot from Ibou Touray.
It wasn’t long until the Bantams were back in front, with Swan capitalising on a mistake from Olly Casey at the back, before slotting an effort out of the goalkeeper’s reach.
Blackpool thought they had found a late equaliser, but any celebrations were halted by the referee’s whistle for a high boot.
With a shortage of senior options on the bench, there was very little in terms of a response apart from that, as their strong run from December faded into the background as they slipped back down the tight League One ladder.
Blackpool FC: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Andy Lyons, Olly Casey, Zac Ashworth, Danny Imray, Albie Morgan, George Honeyman, Josh Bowler, Scott Banks, Ashley Fletcher, Tom Bloxham.
Substitutes: Franco Ravizzoli, Jordan Brown, Lee Evans, CJ Hamilton, Oluchi Nwankwo, Theo Upton, Terry Bondo.
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