Almost 1600 people poured into Bloomfield Road on Wednesday night when The Seasiders played host to Rochdale in the totesport.com reserve league.
Whilst the inclusion of the likes of Rachubka, Evatt, Martin, Husband, Bangura, Demontagnac, Bannan, Clarke and Dobbie might have tempted many to sacrifice St Patrick's day celebrations or the Barcelona Champions League game, the main attraction for many was the prospect of the chance to make history and be the first to sit in the new Armfield South Stand.
A minimum of five hundred supporters were needed to test the turnstiles, visit the toilets and ensure the tea urns were working ahead of the official opening on Saturday when Pool play host Crystal Palace, as ever the Pool faithful turned up in their numbers and once the safety certificate of a 1000 had been hit some twenty minutes before kick-off, the South West corner had to be opened as people poured in to check out the new stand.
On the pitch, the Seasiders who included Stoke youngster Rod McDonald amongst their ranks were simply too strong and experienced for Chris Beech's young Rochdale side, Ishmel Demontagnac got things underway when he cut in from the left to beat two men before finishing with ease past Edwards in the Rochdale goal, Barry Bannan had one disallowed before Pool made it 2-0, Stephen Dobbie made it 3-0 just before the break.
The second half was again one sided with Pool dominating proceedings, Stephen Dobbie got his second and Pool's fourth of the night. Ian Evatt met a great corner from Barry Bannan to make it five the big defender showed looked sharp and will have staked a claim for a starting spot against Palace. Also in contention for a start will be Barry Bannan who netted Pool's sixth of the night.
Al Bangura made it seven with a smart finish, to their credit Rochdale stuck at the task and pulled one back before Stephen Dobbie collected his hat trick with a well taken eighth goal, whilst Dobbie won't have actually taken the match ball home, his goals and effort will have given Pool boss Ian Holloway something to think about ahead of the weekend.
The score line will go down in history and no doubt will be asked many many times in the future when people look back on the opening of the Armfield South Stand.
Full Time Blackpool 8 Rochdale 1
Pool: Rachubka, Breakell, Martin, Evatt (Darcy 70), McDonald, Bangura, Demontagnac, Husband (Almond 78), Bannan (Mitchley 75), Dobbie, Clarke Subs Not Used: Potts. Bradley
