Blackpool faced Wolves in two 60 minute behind-closed doors matches on Wednesday afternoon.
The Seasiders gained further minutes under their belts ahead of Saturday’s trip to Barrow against Premier League opposition. Neil Critchley gave 60 minutes to two different XI’s against Julen Lopetegui’s men.
First game XI: O’Donnell, Moore, Tharme, Ekpiteta, Husband, Lyons, Connolly, Trybull, Carey, Dale, Beesley
Blackpool worked with intensity off the ball throughout, disrupting the flow of their Premier League opponents and forcing turnovers. Whilst there were limited chances in the opening moments, the Seasiders settled well into the game, feeding the ball through the lines into dangerous areas.
Jake Beesley looked lively on the shoulder of the Wolves defence and that pressure opened up an opportunity that stung the palms of the host’s goalkeeper with Jack Moore’s resulting effort well held on the 27 minute mark prior to the half-time stoppage.
Into the second 30 minutes and the Seasiders threatened from a set piece as a driven corner from Sonny Carey found Owen Dale at the back post who floated a teasing ball back towards the near post where Callum Connolly could only find the side netting.
But it was Wolves who found the opener with a guided free kick from the edge of the area floating into the top left-hand corner of the net in the 41st minute. The hosts found a second following a smart move in the final third and a placed effort into the right bottom corner.
FT: Wolves 2-0 Blackpool
Second game XI: Grimshaw, Hamilton, Pennington, Casey, Lankshear, Thompson, Norburn, Morgan, Dougall, Lavery, Apter
Blackpool started the second game in lively fashion as Rob Apter broke the Wolves defensive line and drove the ball across the face, tempting the host’s defender to touch the ball across the line with a sliding challenge to give the Seasiders a seventh minute lead.
That attacking impetus continued as great vision and execution from Kenny Dougall saw a 30-yard lofted pass in behind find Shayne Lavery who couldn’t convert. The Northern Irish forward found space in the final third again to turn and strike an instinctive half volley that was well held by the Wolves stopper.
Blackpool added a second prior to the half-time break as CJ Hamilton fronted up the Wolves full back and drilled the ball into the area for Lavery to hit a first-time finish into the net to double the lead.
Heading into the final 30 minutes Wolves looked to open up space in the final third but a lightning quick counter-attack saw the Seasiders add a third. CJ Hamilton’s pace drove Blackpool into the opposition half as he fed Apter who beat his man and rolled the ball into Lavery’s path, Lavery remained patient and placed the ball to his left where Albie Morgan’s curling effort beat the Wolves keeper.
Brad Holmes was brought on with 15 minutes to go in place of Rob Apter to get minutes into the legs alongside Lavery up top and instantly put himself about to win a free kick in a dangerous area. Wolves looked to have got in behind to find a consolation but strong defensive work from Ollie Casey maintained the Seasiders clean sheet.
The Seasiders weren’t finished yet as Albie Morgan’s corner found the head of Shayne Lavery to make it four with five minutes remaining.
FT: Wolves 0-4 Blackpool