Blackpool 1-0 Exeter City: Seasiders secure vital win to climb away from bottom four
Blackpool overcame Exeter City with a 1-0 victory at Bloomfield Road.
Blackpool claimed a vital 1-0 victory over Exeter City at Bloomfield Road to open up a five point gap between themselves and the bottom four.
Tom Bloxham found the breakthrough for the Seasiders in the first half, in what proved to be the only goal of the contest.
The result moves Ian Evatt’s side up into 18th in League One, five points clear of the Grecians - who remain in the final relegation spot.
Blackpool applied early pressure onto the visitors, with their first clear opening coming in the fifth minute.
A ball over the top from Reuell Walters found CJ Hamilton through in space, but the winger took a touch too many and couldn’t find a way past Jack Bycroft.
The next chance came moments after, with Ashley Fletcher seeing a shot vitally blocked in front of goal, before Joel Randall fired the rebound wide of the target from close-range.
It was a similar story for James Husband and Fraser Horsfall - who both placed a shots over the crossbar inside the box.
The deadlock was eventually broken ahead of the half hour mark, with Bloxham beating Bycroft to the ball just inside the area, before lifting a half volley over the Grecians keeper.
Exeter’s first real chance came just before break. An attempt from Jayden Wareham needed pushing over the bar by Bailey Peacock-Farrell - who reacted quickly after being untested for so long.
Following the restart, an early chance fell Fletcher’s way, with the striker heading onto the roof of the net.
Down the other end, Peacock-Farrell made another important stop, blocking a flicked attempt from Jack Aitchison.
Ahead of the hour mark, there was a triple chance for Blackpool, with Hamilton having a shot saved, Jordan Brown having one blocked, and Hayden Coulson firing the third rebound just over.
Blackpool FC: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Reuell Walters, Fraser Horsfall, James Husband, Hayden Coulson, CJ Hamilton (90’), Jordan Brown, George Honeyman, Joel Randall (60’), Tom Bloxham (60’), Ashley Fletcher.
Substitutes: Franco Ravizzoli, Olly Casey (90’), Leighton Clarkson (60’), Niall Ennis (60’), Dale Taylor (74’), Karoy Anderson (74’), Zac Ashworth.
Your next story from the Gazette: Former Blackpool favourite opens up on special connection, being brave, and 'painful' departure.