Neil Critchley reflects on a 'very pleasing' performance as Blackpool see off Leeds United U21s to qualify from EFL Trophy group stage

Neil Critchley was left to reflect on a pleasing night all-round for Blackpool as they qualified for the knockout stage of the EFL Trophy with a dominant win against Leeds United’s Under-21s.
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Blackpool 3-0 Leeds United's U21s: Seasiders continue impressive recent form to ...

Neil Critchley was left to reflect on a pleasing night all-round for Blackpool as they qualified for the knockout stage of the EFL Trophy with a dominant win against Leeds United’s Under-21s.

Goals from Dan Kemp, Ethan Robson and an own goal helped the Seasiders on their way to a convincing 3-0 win.

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It means Pool, who have now won four games on the spin, finish second in their group behind Accrington Stanley.

“It was a very pleasing performance. Three goals, a clean sheet and we’ve qualified for the next round, so job done,” Critchley said.

“I was pleased with a lot of aspects of the play, we could and should have scored more which was slightly disappointing but we’ve had a good last week or so.

“I thought both in and out of possession we were good. We pressed very well, we won the ball back numerous times and the organisation of the team was excellent. We looked dangerous in attack.

Blackpool boss Neil CritchleyBlackpool boss Neil Critchley
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley
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“Being slightly critical, we made some poor choices and maybe didn’t make best use of some of the opportunities in front of the goal. We could have scored a lot more goals.”

Kemp got the Seasiders up and running with an emphatic finish, smashing home from Bez Lubala’s sublime cross with the outside of his boot.

“That’s what Kempy does, he gets chances because he times his runs off the back line very well, he’s very intelligent,” Critchley said.

“It’s a really terrific cross from Bez, he picked him out very well. It’s a great run and a great finish.

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“The second is an own goal and then Ethan’s goal was a terrific finish. He just engineered a bit of space for himself on his left foot and he’s got the quality to bend it in. It’s a terrific strike from the edge of the box.”

Despite the win, the night was slightly soured when debutant Cameron Antwi, who was enjoying an impressive display, was shown a second yellow late on.

Critchley was furious with the referee’s decision to brandish a red card, Blackpool’s fifth of the season already.

“I was really disappointed with that, I’ve got to be honest. I really thought the referee let him down,” Blackpool’s head coach said.

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“I thought the tackle before that was a shocking tackle. It was over the top of the ball and it should never have got to that point.

“Cam shows a little bit of over-enthusiasm, maybe because of the first tackle, and he goes in for the second tackle and he gets sent off and I thought that ruined his excellent performance.

“I’ve told him not to worry because I thought he was terrific. He’ll learn from that, but I thought the referee let him down.”