The Big Preview: Wolves U21s (H)

Seasiders In Leasing.com Trophy Action

5 November 2019

A place in the knockout stages of the Leasing.com Trophy is at stake tonight, as Blackpool host Wolves' Under-21s.

The Seasiders, currently on three points in Group G, know that a victory would see them progress and leapfrog tonight's visitors at the summit.

A strong performance would also banish a disappointing defeat to Carlisle United last time out in the competition.

As for Wolves, they have taken five points from two matches, beating Carlisle 4-2 and drawing 2-2 with Morecambe, prior to winning a bonus point in a penalty shoot-out.

Ex-Pool defender Rob Edwards was in charge for those fixtures, however he has now departed his position for a role at the Football Association. Mark Kennedy is now overseeing proceedings in the dugout.

Team News:

Blackpool could make a number of changes for the fixture, with the likes of Callum Guy and Joe Nuttall seeking valuable game-time. Curtis Tilt is now available again following suspension, while 'keeper Mark Howard is eligible to play after completing an emergency loan spell with Salford City.

The Manager's View:

"It’s another football match that we want to win. I want to get through and get into the next round, then we will turn our attention to Morecambe in the FA Cup on Saturday.

“Regardless of who plays in what competition, you have to play with the intensity we played with on Saturday. If you do that, you’ve got the signs of a successful football club."

Tickets:

Tickets for this match are on sale in the West Stand, priced at:

£5 for Adults
£3 for Seniors
£1 for Under-16s

Group Standings:

	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	GF	GA	GD	Points
Wolves U21s	2	2	0	0	6	4	2	5
Blackpool	2	1	0	1	6	3	3	3
Carlisle United	2	1	0	1	4	5	-1	3
Morecambe	2	0	0	2	3	7	-4	1

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Blackpool 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 0

Blackpool Win It At The Death

5 November 2019

Blackpool are through to the knockout stages of the Leasing.com Trophy thanks to a 90th minute strike from Rocky Bushiri.

The visitors had the best of the early opportunities. Curtis Tilt lost possession under pressure and the ball fell straight to Benny Ashley-Seal about 40 yards out, who ran at goal and took aim from 20 yards away, only to be denied by Mark Howard’s far post.

Three minutes later, Callum Guy stung the palms of Andreas Sondergaard in the Wolves goal with a powerful drive just outside the area.

Wolves then struck the post for the second time in ten minutes. Number 77 Chem Campbell tried his luck on the edge of the area, but the woodwork denied him what would have been a cutely crafted goal.

Blackpool were creating good chances and Calum Macdonald had a good attempt outside the area, but it was just wide of Sondergaard’s goal.

Ryan Hardie then had the best chance of the half for Blackpool on half an hour. A loose pass in the Wolves defence fell to the Scotsman who, despite having options either side of him, took an effort which was brilliantly pushed away by Sondergaard again.

A few chances for either side but the first half ended goalless.

Half-Time: Blackpool 0 Wolverhampton Wanderer 0

Just three minutes into the second half and Wolves hit the woodwork for a third time in the match. Taylor Perry was played through and he was one-on-one with Mark Howard. Despite Howard’s best efforts the ball went past him, only to nick the far post and bounce away once again.

On 55 minutes, Joe Nuttall caused a scare for Wolves. A quick swivel with the ball at his feet, the striker unleashed a powerful effort which was yet again palmed away by the impressive Sondergaard.

The game was heading for a 0-0 stalemate and a penalty shootout, but Rocky Bushiri had other ideas.

Armand Gnanduillet was put through with a lovely pass and instead of shooting, the frontman made a cute pass to Bushiri on the outside who drove a powerful effort first time into the far corner and send Blackpool through to the knockout stages of the Leasing.com Trophy.

Full-Time: Blackpool 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 0

Team: Howard, Bushiri, Edwards, Hardie (Gnanduillet, 74’), Scannell (Kaikai, 79’), Tilt, Virtue, Turton, Nuttall, Guy, Macdonald (Feeney, 68’).

Subs Not Used: Nottingham, Husband, Sims, Shaw