Port Vale 5-1 Blackpool: 10-man Seasiders defeated by League One strugglers in 2026 opener
Blackpool were defeated 5-1 by Port Vale in their first outing of 2026.
Blackpool started 2026 with a 5-1 defeat away to League One strugglers Port Vale.
Tom Bloxham opened the scoring for Ian Evatt’s side after 26 minutes, but any momentum from that was halted by a sending off for James Husband in first half stoppage time.
Following the restart, the Valiants made the most of their man advantage, with goals from Jayden Stockley, George Byers, Jaheim Headley, Devante Cole and Ronan Curtis emphatically turning the contest around for the bottom placed side.
The result marks a first defeat in six for the Seasiders, following a strong December.
Stockley had the first real chance of the game, with the forward unable to control a half volley in the box, as the ball fired safely over Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s crossbar.
Down the other end, Ben Amos’ first notable contribution of the game was to push away a Bloxham ball into the box while under pressure.
George Honeyman was able to find the back of the net shortly after that, but his celebrations were swiftly halted for an offside flag against Danny Imray in the build-up.
Blackpool wouldn’t be denied on their next attack, with Bloxham finding the back of the net for a third consecutive game.
In first half stoppage time, the Seasiders’ numbers were reduced, as Husband was brandished a harsh red card for a challenge on the edge of his own box.
Despite being a man down, Evatt’s side almost doubled their lead immediately after the break, with a header from Fraser Horsfall going just wide.
Blackpool were left to rue that miss, as Port Vale swiftly turned the contest around.
A front post header from Stockley initially pulled the home side level, before Byers poked home from close-range to edge them in front, following some good work out wide from Cole – who put the ball on a plate.
With just over 15 minutes left on the clock, Headley put the result beyond any doubt, with the defender slotting past Peacock-Farrell at the front post.
After previously providing an assist, Cole added his own name to the scoresheet in the closing stages, before Curtis added a fifth to round off the win in stoppage time.
Blackpool FC: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Olly Casey, Fraser Horsfall, James Husband, Danny Imray (62’), Jordan Brown (62’), Albie Morgan, George Honeyman, Zac Ashworth, Tom Bloxham (45’), Ashley Fletcher (62’).
Substitutes: Franco Ravizzoli, Andy Lyons (62’), Lee Evans, Josh Bowler (62’), CJ Hamilton (45’), Scott Banks (62’), Emil Hansson.
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