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Jay Spearing: Tough task to get back into starting line-up at Blackpool

On this day 10 years ago, this is the story that adorned our back page…

Blackpool fans make use of the new South Stand for the first time

Ishmael Demontagnac had the honour of being the first player to score in front of Blackpool’s new South Stand.

Stephen Dobbie also fired a timely reminder to Ian Holloway as he hit a hat-trick as a strong Blackpool reserve side ran riot in front of 1,600 fans at Bloomfield Road.

The new Jimmy Armfield Stand, which will be officially opened when Pool face Crystal Palace on Saturday, welcomed supporters for the first time - but it might be some time before it sees a goal feast like this again!

An experienced Blackpool second string hit eight without reply against a youthful Rochdale side in front of a crowd sufficiently large that the new stand could take no more and stragglers were directed to the West Stand.

1,600 fans watched a strong reserve side comfortably beat Rochdale

Demontagnac fired home after little more than 10 minutes, while Billy Clarke and Dobbie added further goals to make it 3-0 at half time.

Dobbie could have had five before the break as a string of good efforts flew agonisingly wide, one of them set up by a superbly weighted chip by the impressive Barry Bannan, who played a part in most of the goals.

The Scot made up for his misses in a one-sided second half, which also saw Bannan and the returning Ian Evatt hit the net.

But perhaps the pick of the goals was Al Bangura’s volley from the edge of the area.

The new stand, named after Jimmy Armfield, was officially opened during the game against Crystal Palace

Evatt’s strong, hour-long performance after injury was a major boost, while young trialist Rod McDonald, from Stoke City, was solid alongside him.

His father, also named Rod, was a striker for Walsall and Partick Thistle in the 1990s, after making his name alongside ex-Seasider Tony Rodwell at Colne Dynamoes.

Clarke continued his return to fitness with a full 90 minutes. Also making a welcome return was referee Mark Halsey, given a warm round of applause after surgery for throat cancer.

Pool had required at least 500 to occupy the new stand in order to secure a safety certificate ahead of Saturday’s grand opening.

Ten-year anniversary of Blackpool's promotion to the Premier League: Reserves hit eight as new South Stand is open for the first time