Blackpool's unbeaten start to the League One season ended with a 2-1 defeat at Barnsley on Wednesday, with Amani Richards scoring a late header to secure victory for the hosts. The result leaves Blackpool sitting third in the table, seven points from four games, two wins, one draw and one loss.
Blackpool took the lead early through Cameron McGeehan, but Barnsley fought back before Amani Richards sealed the win in the 87th minute. Dion Charles struck the post with a fine curling effort from 20 yards out after a quick counter-attack in the first half, while Makenzie Kirk should have opened the scoring before half-time but his scuffed strike was cleared off the line by ex-Red Josh Earl. The hosts took the lead after 61 minutes when McGeehan tapped home a Kelly shot from inside the area, but Josh Bowler levelled just four minutes later after some fine work by Charles. Richards then rattled the woodwork but would not be denied in the 87th minute as his header looped over Bailey Peacock-Farrell to send the home fans wild.
Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel revealed his pride after his young side dug deep to secure the win, with substitute Amari Richards' 87th-minute goal giving them a 2-1 Roses success over Blackpool at Oakwell. Stendel said: "I think today was maybe not the style (that won the game), it was the mentality and the belief until the end that we can win this game." He added: "I think we played against a really good team who are experienced a lot in Blackpool on the pitch, but our young players defended well, tried to win the duels and believed until the end, and this was the big change for us today."
Blackpool sit third in League One, seven points from four games, with a goal difference of plus four after scoring eight and conceding four. The club is three points behind leaders Huddersfield Town in the title race. Their next fixture is away to Reading on Saturday 5th September 2026, with the Royals currently sitting 14th in the table.
Cameron McGeehan opened the scoring for Blackpool at Oakwell, while Josh Bowler levelled the match and Dion Charles forced a fine save early on. Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell was on target for Barnsley but could not prevent the defeat. Patrick Kelly was involved in both goals for the hosts, while Reyes Cleary started despite transfer speculation during the summer window.
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