'We scrapped and fought for everything': Neil Critchley gives his verdict on Blackpool's hard-earned win against Northampton Town

Neil Critchley was pleased with the way his Blackpool side scrapped and fought for a hard-earned three points against Northampton Town tonight.
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Goals from Marvin Ekpiteta and Jerry Yates helped the Seasiders claim a 2-0 win against the lowly Cobblers at Bloomfield Road.

Despite the fast start to proceedings, the game soon became a scrappy, ugly affair and Blackpool had to do the dirty stuff to grind out an important win that ensures back-to-back victories.

Blackpool boss Neil CritchleyBlackpool boss Neil Critchley
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley
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The Seasiders were rewarded for their doggedness late on when Jerry Yates continued his fine scoring form, netting for the 10th time in his last 18 games, with a stoppage-time effort to make sure of the win.

The victory continues Blackpool’s strong record on home turf where they’re unbeaten in the league since October.

“They make it extremely difficult with the way they play, they make it difficult for the game we wanted to play,” Critchley said post-match.

“I thought we scrapped and fought for everything. We defended set pieces and long throws and we had to deal with a lot of long balls.

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“They commit a lot of men forward and we dealt with that side of the game well.

“I would have liked us to have shown a bit more quality and composure on the ball, particularly in the second half in and around the goal.

“But we’ve produced two moments of quality that has decided the game and that’s what has got us the three points.”

The Seasiders, who controlled the vast majority of the game, could have made life a little easier for themselves when Kevin Stewart - starting his first game for Pool - hit the post at the start of the second half.

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Thankfully it wasn’t to matter as Yates’ goal, his 10th from his last 18 games, wrapped up the points at the death.

“Because they commit a lot of men forward, they do leave themselves a little bit exposed on the counter attack sometimes,” Critchley added.

“It was a great break from Kevin which shows you athletic ability he’s got given he hasn’t played much football.

“If he tucks that in for 2-0 then who knows what the last 20 minutes of the game looks like, but we’re thankful Jerry finished a fantastic second goal. It’s a great bit of play from him, a bit of magic to finish the game off.”

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