Pool kicked off their tour of Latvia with a 5-0 victory over FK Auda with Scott Vernon grabbing a brace.

Simon Grayson started the game with Andy Morrell and Ben Burgess up front but the side only managed a one goal lead at half-time.

Despite a couple of opportunities and several offside decisions, the breakthrough finally came in the 35^th minute thanks to Andy Morrell. A goal kick from 'keeper Lewis Edge was flicked on by Ben Burgess for Morrell to pick up the pieces and dart through to blast the ball past the advancing keeper.

The midfield partnership of Keith Southern and Michael Flynn showed signs of promise with Flynn going close on at least two occasions. Southern as always went in with the tenacity and drive needed in any game bursting through midfield when in possession of the ball. The Tangerines were just unfortunate not to capitalise.

It was a case of a family affair for Kaspars Gorkss, as the club fielded one of his two brothers in the second half in front of Chairman and father Juris.

Keigan Parker, on as a half-time substitute, continued his impressive pre-season form causing the defence endless problems. The lively frontman struck up a great understanding with Scott Vernon to finally put the game to bed as the floodgates began to open.

The second goal was scored by David Fox after Parker found his strike parried by the 'keeper only for Fox to arrive for a simple finish. The third goal contained the same combination with Parker hitting a strike that bounced down off the bar, although unlucky not to cross the line, Fox was there again to confirm it for good measure.

Following the appearances of Matt Lawlor, Scott Metcalf and Matthew Kay, Pool switched to a 3-5-2 formation with Scott Vernon reaping the instant rewards. The big man was on hand to head home a ball from John Hills operating at left wing back (63) and then grabbed his second, again with the head after a great ball into the box from Keigan Parker.

Marcus could have made it 6-0 only for the former QPR man to fail to connect with an inviting ball across the box again by Parker.

Another two strikes from Parker could have added to the performance yet in the end the side had to settle for a 5-0 win.

Adrian Forbes again missed the game as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, captain Michael Jackson has now arrived in Latvia to join the rest of the squad and will look to be involved in the other two games.

The second game of the tour sees the tangerines take on Ventspils again at the Olympic Stadium. In a change to the kick off the game will now start at 6pm local time

Blackpool team:

Edge (Rachubka 60), Coid (Lawlor 60), Doughty (Metcalf 60), Evatt (Gorkss 45), Crainey (Barker 45), Taylor-Fletcher (Kay 60) , Flynn (Bean 45), Southern (Fox 45), Jorgensen (Hills 45), Morrell (Parker 45), Burgess (Vernon 45)