AFC Blackpool vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

1874 came from behind three times to battle to a 4-3 win at AFC Blackpool.

The relief on the players faces as Matty Ward slammed the ball home from 8 yards after some great persistence, was clear to see.

Two changes were made to the side which lost in midweek, Louis James came back in to the side at Left Back as Ryan Stewart took a place in central midfield with Steve McNichol dropping to the bench. Matty Ward replaced Mike Brandon in the role behind the striker.

The game started as 1874 would have dreaded, a simple long ball was brought down and with Lomas attempting to tackle the Blackpool midfielder, he slotted the ball through the gap and Richard Seear side stepped round Matt Conkie and placed the ball in to the back of the net to make it a dream start for AFC.

1874 responded well, the lively Jackson down the left wing was causing serious problems, a number of good deliveries with one finding Stuart Wellstead, who cut back and shot, unfortunately it was parried out by the keeper for a corner.

It was Ryan Jackson once again who got the beating of the Blackpool fullback, he cut inside and as he did so, his shirt was pulled and then he was fouled from behind, penalty to 1874, Matt Beadle took the responsibility.

His penalty was the perfect height for the goalkeeper who made a good save down to his right, however, Beadle cut the ball back against the legs of the Blackpool midfielder, who couldn’t avoid putting the ball in to his own net to make it 1-1.

1874 were pushing on Blackpool now and having a number of chances with Matt Ward and Ryan Jackson pulling the strings, the latter sliced an effort wide of the post after some great work by Beadle to find him in space.

Blackpool were ahead again in the 26th minute, more questionable defending from 1874 allowed the ball to sit in their box dangerously, after another effort was blocked, the ball found its way to Aaron Fleming to fire home.

The half was wearing on and on the 41st minute 1874 made their pressure count, Matt Ward won a corner for 1874, which Jackson took, his ball in found its way to the back post where Matt Beadle was waiting, he made no mistake in leveling for 1874.

Only 5 minutes in to the second half Blackpool lead again, 1874 were countered and as Blackpool advanced up the field, the number 9 hit a weak scuffed effort which somehow found its way to Richard Seear, who had just Conkie to beat, and he did, placing home in to the bottom left hand corner.

That goal seemed to kick 1874 in to life, as then Stuart Wellstead tore down the right wing and crossed, his delivery found a diving Ryan Stewart who powered a header home past the Blackpool keeper to make it 3-3.

In what was a big turning point in the game, Mike Brandon came on for Stuart Wellstead, and 1874 clicked in to place as he gave Northwich direction in attack.

1874 won the game in the 82nd minute, Matt Beadle played a great ball into the path of Matty Ward whose first effort was parried out, Ward won the ball again to hold off the attention of three Blackpool defenders and after rounding the grounded keeper, he slammed the ball home.

The passion from Matt Ward and the rest of the team was evident to see, it was a deserved goal and one that brought with it a lot of needed confidence.

1874 saw the game out and defended well under late Blackpool pressure, to ensure a big 3 points headed back to Northwich.

1874 TEAM: Conkie, Connor, Thomas, Lomas, James, Woolley (C), Stewart, Wellstead, Jackson, Ward, Beadle.

SUBS: Brandon for Wellstead on 74′.

UNUSED: Mason, Tulloch, Bowyer and McNichol.