Cardiff City 0-0 Blackpool: Seasiders back up big win with point in South Wales
Blackpool held Cardiff City to a 0-0 draw.
Blackpool picked up a well-earned point on the road after playing out a 0-0 stalemate against Cardiff City in South Wales.
After bouncing back from a dismal run of form with a 3-2 victory over Port Vale on Tuesday night, the Seasiders were able to produce a compact display to hold the Bluebirds.
Ian Evatt’s side will be looking to replicate similar qualities in their upcoming meetings with Burton Albion and Exeter City, as they look to take points off those around them in the League One relegation battle.
The first half chance of the game fell the home side’s way, with Ollie Tanner firing over the bar with a half volley from close-range.
Similar efforts followed for the Bluebirds, while Blackpool also found their own foothold in the game, but neither team were able to produce anything clear cut in the opening exchanges.
Cardiff were able to slowly build some pressure, and kept the Seasiders back line alert.
The most important defensive contribution in the first half came from James Husband, with the left back intercepting the ball with an outstretched leg to avert a close-ranged tap in.
Brian Barry-Murphy’s side had a couple of late chances to break through ahead of the break, seeing a Tanner shot take a touch just wide of the target, before Omari Kellyman saw a headed attempt saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Following the restart, a touch was required to force a Cian Ashford effort wide, with the midfielder finding space after beating Reuell Walters down the right.
This was swiftly followed by a speculative hit from Ryan Wintle - who pulled a shot from distance just off target.
Down the other end, a golden chance came Tom Bloxham’s way. A well-weighted pass through from Ashley Fletcher gave his strike partner a sight of goal, but the 22-year-old couldn’t find the target with a lightly hit attempt.
After denying Kellyman in the first half, Peacock-Farrell left the Cardiff midfielder frustrated again in the 54th minute, with another impressive stop.
Nathan Trott was also on hand with his own heroics to keep Blackpool out - denying a thunderous Josh Bowler strike with a fingertip save to stop the ball from finding the top corner.
Off the bench, Chris Willock was among those to ask a question of the Seasiders’ first-choice shot-stopper, with the Northern Ireland international pushing away a curling shot from the right.
Both sides had chances to win it in the closing stages. At one end, Peacock-Farrell stopped a Wintle header from a corner, while at the other CJ Hamilton dragged a shot wide of the back post.
Blackpool FC: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Reuell Walters, Fraser Horsfall, Olly Casey, James Husband, Josh Bowler (69’), Jordan Brown, Karoy Anderson, CJ Hamilton, Tom Bloxham (69’), Ashley Fletcher (83’).
Substitutes: Franco Ravizzoli, Leighton Clarkson, Niall Ennis (69’), George Honeyman (69’), Hayden Coulson (83’), Joel Randall, Zac Ashworth.
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