Blackpool Win First League Match of the Season

Blackpool secure their first league win of the season with a 2-1 triumph over Stockport County.

Blackpool Win First League Match of the Season

Blackpool FC have secured their first league win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Stockport County at Edgeley Park.

The Seasiders headed to Edgeley Park having struggled against the Hatters in recent times, but were able to build on their 1-1 draw with Wycombe Wanderers on the opening weekend.

Tom Bloxham and Josh Bowler were both on the scoresheet for Ian Evatt’s side in Greater Manchester to make it four points from their first two games, as a late Mika Mandron goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s first test came after just two minutes, with the Northern Ireland international required to stand firm to stop Harry Wood from a tight angle.

The Hatters midfielder soon found himself with another opportunity as space appeared on the right side of the Seasiders defence again, but on this occasion he was unable to keep his effort from close-range down to test the goalkeeper.

Blackpool found a bit of life after seeing a shot from Albie Morgan deflected over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Zac Ashworth saw a header saved at the back post.

The next attack proved to be a successful one for Evatt’s side. A long ball forward from Peacock-Farrell was controlled by Bloxham - who calmly worked his way into the box before slotting past Ollie Whatmuff into the bottom corner.

There was an opportunity for Olly Casey to double the lead, but the defender couldn’t keep a close-range header down from a corner.

Down the other end, Stockport had chances to equalise, with Lewis Bate putting a shot straight at Peacock-Farrell, before Jack Diamond and Ryan Glover headed attempts over the bar.

This was punished by the Seasiders before the break. A CJ Hamilton ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by Jimmy McNulty’s side, leaving the ball loose for Bowler to scramble the ball over the line.

The two-goal lead was maintained ahead of the break, with Peacock-Farrell making a superb save to deny Diamond at point blank range.

A good break from Bowler following the restart led to another chance for Bloxham - who forced Whatmuff into a strong save.

Like in the first half, Stockport were pretty wasteful in the final third, and quickly started to lose their sting.

After being undone by their own shortcomings, they found themselves frustrated once again by Peacock-Farrell in the closing stages.

The 29-year-old made heroic saves to deny both Ollie Norwood and substitute Benony Breki Andresson with sharp reactions.

Unfortunately, like his recent man of the match winning display against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, the keeper wasn’t rewarded with a clean sheet as Mandron claimed a late goal.

Blackpool will look to build on this win as they head into their next fixture against Leicester at home on 3rd October.