Memory Match: Blackpool 5-1 Bury, 1988

John Deary scored a great goal after coming on as a late substitute

Blackpool sank Bury so conclusively in the Bloomfield Road mud and rain their rivals were unable to move after the match.

The Seasiders stuck five stunning goals in the Bury net – then the visitors’ coach stuck in the muddy car park and had to be towed out.

Tony Cunningham netted the Seasiders second goal with a tidy finish

Blackpool blasted their way into the upper reaches of Division Three with a super start to 1988, finding their shooting boots in spectacular style.

The first three goals especially were gloriously struck and enabled Sam Ellis’ men to ring out a warning to their promotion rivals.

Blackpool went off to a rousing ovation after their biggest win of the season.

Ellis takes credit for the victory with astute selection and substitutions.

He decided to give experienced Mike Lester a debut in defence and he did well enough in the first hour to win a contract until the end of the season.

Ellis also decided to leave Brian Butler at right-back instead of recalling Mike Davies.

Butler repaid the manager’s faith with a superb goal after 10 minutes. Steve Morgan’s excellent cross was headed back by Tony Cunningham and Butler’s volley arced over keeper Simon Farnworth.

Mark Taylor twice, Craig Madden and Colin Methven had chances in goalmouth scrambles to put Blackpool further ahead but when Taylor dived into a rash challenge after 26 minutes, it left Hill free to cross for Hoyland to head home the equaliser.

Cunningham rescued Blackpool from a potential crisis with a magnificent second goal after 34 minutes. Steve Morgan supplied the through ball to Cunningham who had three defenders closing in.

He held them off and sent a left footer flashing into the far corner for his 11th goal of the season.

Bury sent on speedy winger David Lee for the second half and were denied early goals by Barry Siddall and Andy McAteer.

Ellis decided to send on Davies for Lester to bolster his midfield and it turned the tide.

Cunningham was denied by a wonder save from Farnworth but from the corner after 76 minutes, Blackpool scored the third goal they needed for comfort.

Young Morgan, a revelation in the second half, conjured a beauty, beating two men in a tight space and rilling a left footer into the bottom far corner.

Madden notched his 12th goal of the season after 80 minutes with an acrobatic finish to Davies’s cross.

Ellis worked the oracle again by putting on John Deary for Cunningham for the last few minutes.

Madden put a diving header at Farnworth then right on the whistle, Deary latched on to Siddall’s long clearance to lash home the fifth goal with a terrific

first-time shot.

Breathtaking stuff, and superbly timed by the Seasiders.

Attendance: 4,240