Action Replay

BLACKPOOL 2 NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0

SKY BET LEAGUE 1 • TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2ND, 7.00PM • BLOOMFIELD ROAD

Keith Curle made two changes for the re-arranged trip to Blackpool with Ryan Watson and the fit again Jack Sowerby coming in to midfield.

Jordan Thorniley failed to find the target from a Sullay Kaikai free-kick and Chris Maxwell made a smart save to deny the re-called Watson as both sides traded early chances. Jonathan Mitchell saved with his legs as on-loan Everton striker Ellis Simms threatened for the home side and it was Blackpool who broke the deadlock on 12 minutes, Marvin Ekpiteta getting the final touch to Kaikai’s cross, the ball squeezing inside the post.

The Cobblers responded well to falling behind and but for a slip in front of goal from Peter Kioso would have been level. Sam Hoskins fired wide via a deflection but Blackpool remained a threat and it needed a good save from Mitchell to keep out Kaikai on the counter-attack.

Watson made a good forward run into the area but his shot was straight at Maxwell who ensured the Tangerines' lead remained intact at the break.

Kaikai saw a free-kick saved by Mitchell and Matty Virtue fired over at the start of the second half. Kenny Dougall then went close with a low drive from 25-yards as Blackpool pressed forward looking for a second goal and they had a golden chance to double their lead when Kevin Stewart was played through on the counter-attack but with only Mitchell to beat, his shot came back off the post.

Caleb Chukwuemeka and Shaun McWilliams came on in a double change and the Cobblers briefly thought they were back on level terms when they had the ball in the back of the net from a corner only for the off-side flag to be raised against Cian Bolger.

Maxwell fumbled a Bryn Morris header but was able to gather the ball in before a Cobblers player could convert the rebound. As the game entered stoppage time, substitute Ricky Korboa had a shot deflected behind before a fine solo effort from Jerry Yates sealed all three points for Blackpool.

I didn’t think there was much in the game but the goals we gave away were soft. “We got some good entries into the final third but then our delivery or our pass selection was poor and we need to improve on our set pieces. “Our decision making on the ball needs to improve and when we do have the ball we need to keep it more and work an opening. KEITH CURLE

Chris Maxwell Jordan Gabriel Marvin Ekpiteta Jordan Thorniley James Husband Kenny Dougall (sub Demetri Mitchell 71) Kevin Stewart Matty Virtue Sullay Kaikai Ellis Simms (sub Ollie Turton 80) Jerry Yates Subs not used: Jack Sims, Cameron Antwi, Dan Ballard, Nathan Shaw, Rob Apter

COBBLERS

Jonathan Mitchell Peter Kioso Lloyd Jones Cian Bolger Fraser Horsfall (sub Danny Rose 84) Joseph Mills Bryn Morris Ryan Watson (sub Caleb Chukwuemeka 65 ) Jack Sowerby (sub Ricky Korboa 84) Sam Hoskins (sub Shaun McWilliams 65 ) Ryan Edmondson Subs not used: Dylan Berry, Michael Harriman, Mark Marshall

Referee: James Oldham

BLACKPOOL MATCH STATS

(first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (4) 6 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (3) 10 CORNERS: (2) 4 FOULS: (4) 10 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0

COBBLERS MATCH STATS

(first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 4 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 3 CORNERS: (3) 5 FOULS: (7) 15 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 4

GAME CHANGER