MATCH REPORT: Blackpool 4-0 Notts County

A brace from from Kyle Vassell a goal apiece for Colin Daniel and Jamille Matt was enough to see off the Magpies after a dominant performance from Gary Bowyer’s side.

Pool were rarely threatened by County, who came into the game sixth in the league, as the Seasiders recorded a routine three points at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool started the game well and came close early on when Kyle Vassell’s cross was well collected by Notts County ‘keeper Adam Collin, with Jamille Matt waiting to tap in.

Just a minute later, Vassell combined well with Brad Potts with the latter racing through on goal with one of his trademark runs, only to fire wide of goal under pressure from the County defence.

The game then settled down but became a scrappy affair with referee Robert Jones a little too whistle happy.

But with 20 minutes on the clock, the hosts took the lead via the left foot of in-form striker Kyle Vassell.

There was an element of fortune in the build up after Jamille Matt had originally done well to work some space, only to see his weak shot deflected into the path of Vassell who tucked the ball away into the bottom corner.

The visitors looked to be slowly growing into the game as they threatened from throw ins and corners into the Blackpool box, but Blackpool continued to win second balls and were camped inside the County half for much of the opening period.

One particular high ball towards the back post wasn’t dealt with and was eventually deflected just wide of the goal from Pool left-back Andy Taylor.

But Pool came close to extending their lead when Jamille Matt crossed across the County six-yard box, only for it to be cleared with Kyle Vassell desperately trying to get on the end of it.

County ‘keeper Collin then had to be quick off his line to deny Vassell his second of the game, after the striker had been sent through on goal by Potts.

A minute later, Colin Daniel then drilled a snapshot from the edge of the box wide of goal.

Blackpool should have found that elusive second goal when Jamille Matt showed great tenacity to beat Collin to a teasing through ball, only to side foot his effort wide of an open, gaping goal.

The striker had time to take a second touch but his wayward effort ended up missing the goal by two or three yards.

Kelvin Mellor then worked some space down the right and whipped in a superb cross towards the back post, where Colin Daniel directed a header just wide of goal.

In the last action of the half, Pool stopper Sam Slocombe was forced to make a good save down to his left from Michael O’Connor’s sweetly struck free-kick.

The Seasiders eventually found that second goal their play deserved just minutes into the second half, with Daniel tapping into an empty net.

It came after Vassell had raced through on goal only to see his shot palmed into the path of Daniel.

The game was effectively killed off when Jamille Matt drilled home at the near post after Vassell saw his shot blocked, making it 3-0 to the hosts.

County reacted by making three changes, but it made little difference as the Seasiders remained on the front foot.

Pool were happy to sit back and put men behind the ball in the final stages as the Magpies struggled to make inroads.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors, who with 10 minutes to go were reduced to ten men following Vadaine Oliver's high tackle on Tom Aldred.

The win was then rounded off with Vassell grabbing his second of the game to cap off a fine performance, capitalising on some woeful defending to fire into the bottom corner.

Blackpool: Slocombe, Mellor, Aldred, Robertson, Taylor, Daniel, Pugh, Payne (McAlister), Potts (Osayi-Samuel), Vassell, Matt (Gnanduillet)

Subs not used: Boney, Nolan, Yeates, Philliskirk

Notts County: Collin, Dickinson (Milsom), Hollis, Duffy, Laing, Forte, Hewitt, O'Connor, Tootle, Campbell (Collins), Smith (Oliver)

Subs not used: Loach, Edwards, Burke, Snijders.

Referee: Robert Jones