Blackpool fans, you better get used to the odd fright - Matt Scrafton's verdict on Port Vale friendly as Seasiders make it two wins from two

The ‘King of Marbella’, more commonly known as Jonathan Disley, perched alongside Blackpool’s increasingly desperate owner as the unlikely duo watched the Seasiders edge a fairly lifeless pre-season affair 1-0 thanks to Nathan Delfouneso’s well-taken one-on-one.

At the time, Oyston was hopelessly scrambling round for funds to repay the gargantuan debt he owed former director Valeri Belokon and, as a result, keep hold of his supposedly beloved football club.

Thankfully, such a nightmare scenario never transpired and Disley, with his tail in between his legs, rode off back into the sunset, back to Marbella where he presumably turned his focus to wooing former Brookside actress Claire Sweeney (as recently alleged by a tabloid newspaper).

Fast forward 24 months and we have no such sorry sideshows to worry about.

Instead, Blackpool have been transformed into a professionally-run outfit with a genuine boyhood fan as an owner that continues to invest on and off the pitch, coached by a man with a clear plan and with a set of young players that promise a thrilling season ahead.

It’s unlikely we’ll see any further drama off the pitch this coming campaign, but on it there’s bound to be aplenty.

The way Neil Critchley is wanting to set his side up to play, Blackpool fans are going to have to become accustomed to the odd fright here and there.

Some might not like the manner in which Blackpool’s centre backs are tasked with playing the ball out from the back. Screams of “get rid of it” are sadly inevitable from the terraces.

But there’s a broader picture at play here. Mistakes, as we saw against Port Vale on Saturday, are unavoidable. There will be times when defenders, trying to do the right thing, will be left with egg on their faces.

But with high risk comes high reward and, let’s face it, the last Blackpool side to play with such a bold attitude didn’t turn out too badly, did they?

In the face of constant pressing from their League Two opponents, the Seasiders looked a little shaky at times during their latest pre-season encounter - especially in the opening salvos.

But there was a lot more for Blackpool fans to be encouraged about. Whether it was the increasingly influential Cameron Antwi showing bravery beyond his years on the ball, Keshi Anderson storming through the middle of the park or CJ Hamilton blitzing his way towards goal, there were positive signs across the pitch.

This was an entertaining affair and a much better test for Blackpool than the one they faced last week at Haig Avenue. Such was inevitable given the strength of opposition compared to National League North side Southport, who were lambs to the slaughter.

Port Vale certainly played their part, too. They started well and caused all sorts of problems for Blackpool’s nervy backline.

Critchley’s side slowly but surely took control of the game, but Liam Feeney and Keshi Anderson wasted gilt-edged chances to open the scoring.

Despite being in the ascendancy, Pool looked odds-on to go a goal down when the Valiants were awarded the softest of penalty decisions, not long after the Seasiders had appeals of their own waved away when Anderson was brought down inside the box.

Tom Pope, who theatrically crumbled to the ground under the slightest of touches from Teddy Howe, sent the returning Chris Maxwell the wrong way from 12 yards only to see his spot kick clip the outside of the post.

The hosts were made to pay for that miss when, with just two minutes remaining of the first half, Sullay Kaikai punished some hesitant defending by slamming home from close range after both Jerry Yates and Marvin Ekpiteta had been denied from a goalmouth scramble.

Blackpool kept all 10 outfield players on the pitch for the opening 15 minutes of the second period in a bid to step-up their fitness ahead of the upcoming season. But in goal there was a change as trialist goalkeeper Alex Fojticek took the gloves from Maxwell.

Fojticek looked decidedly nervy distributing the ball from his own box and it was via this route that Port Vale drew level.

The Slovakian, a former Manchester United youngster, saw a clearance charged down. Fortunately for Pool the ball fell at the feet of Ekpiteta, but he stumbled which allowed Scott Burgess the opportunity to burst through on goal and slot home.

The defensive mix-up was soon forgotten about when, like Kaikai, Anderson scored his second in as many games to restore Blackpool’s lead.

The midfielder, signed from Swindon Town earlier this summer, did well to win the ball back on the edge of the Port Vale area before slotting a calm effort past the keeper.

Despite making wholesale changes on the hour mark, Pool had further openings to extend their lead - CJ Hamilton having two golden opportunities himself thanks to his blistering pace.

But, while second-half substitutes Ethan Robson and Oliver Sarkic performed solidly on their debuts, no further goals were forthcoming and the Seasiders were forced to settle for a narrow, hard-earned victory.

It was another productive day at the office for Critchley and his men, but now the real work starts - four games in 11 days to get the Seasiders up to speed for the new campaign.