Report

The 10-1 scoreline in Blackpools favour does not reflect how this encounter was played out in the first 35 minutes during which time Bolton had the upper hand. The Pool had looked decidedly hungover from last weeks defeat and started slowly allowing Bolton to create good chances before they went ahead on 35 minutes. Despite starting slowly the Seasiders were good enough to create a couple of good openings the pick of the bunch when Charlotte Banner found Sian Dillon with a long ball out of defence and she lifted over the defender only to then shoot over. But in fairness the Bolton goal had been coming as only a last ditch tackle by Gabby May and two close range saves by Chrissie Workman had kept it to nil nil.
The 35th minute Bolton goal lifted them but also seemed to spur Blackpool on and within two minutes Dillon fired a great shot into the top corner after Chloe Bracegirdle won the ball and purposefully strode forward interchanging passes with Alice Jackson to play Dillon in. Blackpool had their tails up now and after a last ditch tackle on Jackson the ball went out for a corner which Mac Barlow fired in and the under pressure keeper fumbled only to drop it for Jackson to fire home. The game was effectively over a minute later when Dillon rifled her second home after Lauren Oatley’s precise pass picked her out in the box.
For the second half Bolton were down to 10 players after using their only sub then another lady going off. They still created chances but great defending by Gabby May and Beth Fisher stifled their attacks and Barlow, Bracegirlde and Emma Perret had a grip on the midfield which provided the Seasiders with a platform on which to perform. Up front Pool was rampant with Davies, Oatley and Beccy McEwan- on for Dillon- all bagging a brace and Barlow powering a header in. The Bolton girls struggled to cope with Pools pace and interchange of passes, and although they kept their spirits up they were being outplayed and were glad to hear the final whistle which gave Blackpool a thoroughly deserved win after a slow start.