Ipswich Town 2-1 Blackpool: Seasiders exit FA Cup following narrow loss
Blackpool were defeated 2-1 by Ipswich Town in the third round of the FA Cup.
Blackpool exited the FA Cup with a 2-1 third round defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Jaden Philogene edged the Championship outfit in front during the first half, before Jacob Greaves secured the Tractor Boys’ progression in the closing stages.
Ian Evatt’s side were able to battle well against their higher league opponents throughout, but couldn’t find a way back into the contest prior to a stoppage time Ashley Fletcher penalty.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell was called into action for the first time after just four minutes, with the Birmingham City loanee reacting quickly to push a Cedric Kipre header over the crossbar.
The Seasiders keeper’s next save was more routine, as Jack Taylor tried his luck with a side-footed attempt from distance.
Blackpool’s first real opportunity came through Danny Imray. Following some good link-up play between Albie Morgan and CJ Hamilton, the latter found the Crystal Palace loanee in the box, with an heroic block required to stop the ball from finding the back of the net.
Half chances continued to come the home side’s way, but had to wait until the 35th minute to finally break the deadlock.
A well-worked move eventually saw Philogene slipped through down the left, with 23-year-old slotting the ball to the far post out of Peacock-Farrell’s reach.
The Northern Ireland shot stopper was able to stop Chuba Akpom from making it 2-0 ahead of half time, leaving the striker frustrated by a strong hand to deny Ipswich on the break.
Following the restart, Hamilton had a chance to pull the Seasiders level. The wing-back showed some strength to get onto the end of a long ball, before forcing Alex Palmer into a save from a tight angle.
Philogene was among the players to have attempts down the other end, but curled his effort wide of the target, as Blackpool started to frustrate the Tractor Boys in their search for a second.
A rare chance came Fletcher’s way as Evatt’s side looked for a way back into the game, with Greaves coming up with a vital block to deflect the ball wide.
Shortly after that intervention, the defender secured the win for Ipswich, outmuscling Peacock-Farrell in the air to head home from close-range.
Substitute Scott Banks was fouled in the box late in stoppage time, but there wasn’t enough time after Fletcher’s successful penalty to search for an equaliser.
Blackpool FC: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Andy Lyons, Olly Casey, Zac Ashworth, Danny Imray, Lee Evans (61’), Albie Morgan, George Honeyman, CJ Hamilton, Tom Bloxham (69’), Ashley Fletcher.
Substitutes: Franco Ravizzoli, Jordan Brown (61’), Niall Ennis, Josh Bowler (69’), Scott Banks (76’), Ryan Finnigan, Theo Upton, Spencer Knight, Oluchukwu Nwankwo.
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