Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Blackpool: Seasiders youngsters battle well in defeat at soggy Prenton Park
Blackpool were defeated 2-1 by Tranmere Rovers in their final EFL Trophy group outing.
Blackpool finished second in their EFL Trophy group after losing 2-1 to Tranmere Rovers on a soggy night at Prenton Park.
An impressive Scott Banks goal opened the scoring after 18 minutes, before the hosts pulled themselves through a deflected Patrick Brough shot from distance.
Despite Seasiders boss Ian Evatt starting the game with a number of youngsters, before introducing further academy players in the second half, it took the home side a bit of time to impose themselves prior to taking the lead through Joe Ironside.
With qualification from Group B already confirmed for both teams ahead of the match, the result only impacts their positioning, with the Wirral outfit finishing top.
The game got underway an hour later than planned following a heavy downpour ahead of kick off. Despite appearing to have called it off at one stage, the referee opted to check the pitch an additional time, with it deemed playable based on the second inspection.
Franco Ravizzoli was called into action five minutes into the delayed contest - stopping a shot from Taylan Harris from the right.
The next real chance came the Seasiders' way, and it presented itself as an impressive solo goal for Banks.
After producing some tidy footwork to avoid several challenges on his way into the box from the right, the St Pauli loanee stuck an effort past Jack Barrett to break the deadlock.
Tranmere thought they had found an immediate equaliser, but Ravizzoli was just about able to stop the ball from crossing the line.
On their next attack, the home side were able to pull themselves level, with a shot from Brough taking a massive deflection to wrong foot Blackpool’s Argentine keeper.
A couple of chances fell to Kristian Dennis in the closing stages of the opening 45 minutes, as the striker saw one effort saved before pulling another wide.
Following the restart, a half chance came Terry Bondo’s way, with the young striker unable to get enough contact on a first-time strike to truly trouble Barrett.
On the back of the break, Evatt brought additional youngsters into the action, as his side continued to battle well against the League Two outfit.
Jack Richardson was among the academy players to have a couple of bright moments, with the midfielder testing Barrett with a shot from the edge of the box.
Down the other end, Jayden Joseph had two chances to edge his side in front. His first effort smashed against the crossbar, before Ravizzoli denied his attempt on the rebound.
Tranmere were able to edge their way in front after the break, with Ironside nodding a header into the bottom corner after a cross from the right for what proved to be the winner.
Blackpool FC: Franco Ravizzoli, Andy Lyons (57’), Oluchukwu Nwankwo, Zac Ashworth (45’), Scott Banks (57’), Lee Evans (45’), Theo Upton, Spencer Knight, Derek Oshodi, Emil Hansson (57’), Terry Bondo.
Substitutes: Harvey Bardsley, James Butterworth (57’), Harry Williamson (57’), George Elder (45’), Shay Mannix, Ky-Mani Leliendal (45’), Jack Richardson (57’).
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