KEELE SUCCESS FOR THE LADIES
03 Aug 2011

Blackpool FC Ladies and Reserves combined forces to take a team to the annual Keele tournament, the format of which was a mini league that guaranteed 3 matches on the first day and a minimum of 1 on the second with more games dependant upon the teams’ success.

The Ladies first games was against Atherton and goals from Mac Barlow and Danni Cross eased them through on a 2-1 win, a result that was repeated in the following game against St Nicholas with another Barlow goal and one from BecKy Preston.  The final game on the Saturday pitched Blackpool against De Vale who had travelled from Aberdeen, Blackpool carried on their winning streak with another goal from Preston to win 1-0.

Sunday morning was bright and sunny and despite aching joints the Ladies flew out of the blocks to totally outplay the City of Manchester and win 2-0 with goals from Chloe Bracegirdle and a header from Alice Jackson from a freekick after Preston had been fouled.

The next game of the group was against Chorley – a team who had finished runners up in the league to which the Ladies have just been promoted- so was sure to be a stern test.  Blackpool started slowly and gave away some easy chances that Chorley gobbled up to go 3-0 up before Rhiannon Davies gave them a lifeline to make it 3-1 at half time.  The second period was more in keeping with what the Ladies normally deliver and a rousing performance saw Chorley hanging on but emerge 3-2 winners after Blackpool clawed back another goal this time from Emma Ambrose and narrowly miss taking the draw after several goal line clearances and last ditch tackles by the under pressure Chorley team.

This loss meant the Seasiders went into the Plate final against Wednesfield which they comfortably won 3-1 outplaying the opposition with 2 goals from Becky Preston, and one from Danni Cross.