Report: Exeter City 1-3 Blackpool

Three first-half goals saw Blackpool pick up their first three points of 2025 at St James Park against Exeter City. 

The Seasiders took a three-goal lead into the break thanks to goals from CJ Hamilton, Tom Bloxham and Ashley Fletcher.

Exeter dominated the ball in the second-half but it took until the 82^nd minute for them to find their first of the game and despite the Grecians having late chances they couldn’t find another to make the game nervy for the Pool.

New man Tom Bloxham went close to bagging his first goal in Tangerine early on when he cut onside from the left before whipping a shot towards the back post, but his effort crashed off the post, before Rob Apter’s follow up was blocked.

The chances kept coming for the Seasiders as CJ Hamilton was rolled in down the left before he played it across the six yard box for Ashley Fletcher at the back post, but the forward couldn’t quite stretch a leg out to tap it home.

Exeter’s first chance of the afternoon came in the 22^nd minute when Josh Magennis was slid in by Demetri Mitchell, but Harry Tyrer done well to stick a leg out and deny Magennis at his near post.

The Tangerines took the lead in 33^rd minute when good play by Odel Offiah created space in behind on the left for Hamilton, who was put through by Albie Morgan and the left winger did the rest.

Pool doubled their advantage in style minutes later when Bloxham got the better of his man at the byline before rounding keeper Whitworth and slotting home his first goal in Tangerine.

The striker was having a day to remember as he laid the third goal on a plate for Fletcher just before the break.  Bloxham beat the defender to a long ball before running down the right and playing it across the box for Fletcher, who swept it home to give Pool a three-goal lead at the break.

HT: Exeter City 0-3 Blackpool

Exeter made a double change at the break and came out with much more attacking emphasis as they looked to get an early goal to get back into the Sky Bet League One encounter but clearances from centre-back duo Olly Casey and Baggott kept the Grecians out in the opening twenty minutes of the second period.

Jake Beesley came on in the 75^th minute to make his first appearance in Tangerine since November and he was involved straight away exchanging passes with Sonny Carey, before the midfielder stung the palms of Whitworth from the edge of the area.

The hosts got one back in the 82^nd minute when substitute Jack Aitchison slid Alli in behind and he fired low and hard past Tyrer to reduce the arrears for the Grecians.

Elkan Baggott rose highest from a corner from but from a few yards out his header was blocked on the line by his own man Josh Onomah.  Exeter broke quickly and Tony Yogane went down looking for a penalty but the referee waved away the claims.

FT: Exeter City 1-3 Blackpool