Considering it was mid December it was a fair afternoon weather wise at the abbey stadium as the men in amber took on Blackpool. The weather was kind and rather mild despite the ominous purple clouds around the skies. 6042 including around 670 Seasiders prepared to watch an intriguing game. The Us were unchanged. The visitors won the toss and elected to play with the wind toward the NRE. Beesley for the visitors had the first effort on goal but his effort was blocked. Lyon’s then had his effort saved low down by Stevens as the visitors played some decent stuff. A flaw in the laws was exposed as the stand side assistant did not raise his flag for offside and Beesley clattered into home keeper Jack Stevens who was making a save. The keeper was clearly injured, Beesley was booked but it could so easily have been prevented by the assistant flagging offside when the offence was committed rather than waiting to see if any advantage occurred. United were making the occasional foray forward but Liam Bennett’s snapshot flew just over the crossbar.
Carey had another effort saved low down by the alert Stevens. Moments later, Jake Beesley went down theatrically following a tackle by Jubril Okedina, it was barely a challenge and I was surprised to see referee Breakspere show a yellow card. Two poor decisions. Worse still when the lively Dembele swung over a dangerous cross, high scoring Jordan Rhodes was left unmarked to power a header into the net for 0-1. The goal was excellent but the free kick was a real gift. Carey shot wide moments later as the visitors gained control. However the U’s won the ball back deep in their own half as James Brophy sprung the offside trap ran to the edge of the penalty area and crossed for Gassan Ahadme to side foot straight at keeper Grimshaw from 10 yards, however as the ball broke clear Elias Kachunga side footed home from 6 yards to make it 1-1. Watching the replay (which the match officials don’t have), saw appeals from the visitors for offside were in vain as no 3 Husband played Brophy onside. Moments later the referee made another very poor decision, with Rhodes tumbling to the ground just outside the United area. Experienced referees should be able to see through this play acting but to rub salt into the wound he also cautioned Danny Andrew for the alleged offence. Dembele fired in the free kick which was brilliantly tipped over by Stevens.
Moments later a moment of real danger as Carey took a short corner to Dembele who raced into the area and fired in another effort again well saved by the busy Stevens. Carey then fired in another effort saved low down by Stevens. Moments later Kachunga set up Sullay Kaikai but he fired narrowly wide. A short time later after a goal kick was headed back by Liam Bennett, Kachunga set up Ahadme who raced into the box only to be brought down by Grimshaw. Penalty was the decision which Ahadme placed in the left hand corner as the keeper dived the other way, this made it 2-1. The visitors clearly upset as they thought both handball or offside should have been awarded in the build up. Keeper Grimshaw was shown the yellow card. Half time came moments later at 2-1. The U’s riding their luck but working hard to get back into the game.
United had a glorious chance for a third at the start of the second half but after great work from James Brophy which gave Ahadme a clear sight of goal, the keeper narrowed the angle but it looked simpler to score as Ahadme fired at the keeper. Silly fouls made the game interesting with both sides being penalised for minor infringements which broke the game up. Paul Digby was shown a yellow for a foul on Carey. United had a let off on the hour when Rhodes fired narrowly wide following a free kick. Blackpool then replaced Beesley and Lyons with Joseph and Lawrence-Gordon. Kachunga was then clattered into from behind but referee Breakspear already unpopular with home fans did not speak to the offender. George Thomas then replaced Kaikai.
Carey was then fouled by Kachunga in retaliation for the earlier foul, the referee showing Kachunga the yellow card but being roundly booed by the home crowd because of his apparent lack of consistency. Moments later, despite Kachunga looking offside he crossed the ball for Thomas to fire against the post from about 10 yards, perhaps justice was done. Danny Andrew then swung over a corner headed just over by Ahadme. The U’s were looking good despite their narrow lead. Kyle Joseph fired wide then after being set up by Hamilton. This had developed into a real end to end and very entertaining game. Rhodes heading wide for the visitors after a cross from Lawrence-Gabriel. James Brophy having a fine surging game was then cut down by Norburn who was booked.
Paul Digby was then judged to have fouled Hamilton. Referee Breakspear then showed a second yellow despite Digby claiming he had won the ball. Replays on TV (which the referee does not have of course) showed that Digby did win the ball. I am not sure about appeals on second yellow cards. It was though the latest in a series of poor decisions. Blackpool camped in the United half, but credit to the men in amber they fought for every tackle and crowded the visitors out. Morgan and Dale replaced Pennington and Norburn as the visitors looked for more attacking options. For the U’s Rossi and May replaced Kachunga and Andrew. The U’s beefing up the defence. The referees performance went from bad to worse when he cautioned Stevens for taking a free kick in the wrong place then Brophy for the softest of tackles. Consistency was not the referees friend today.United were hanging on and Liam Bennett made a match saving tackle in stoppage time. In the last moments of the game Dale clearly fouled Brophy with once again the referee failing to take any action . Brophy had to be replaced by Haunstrup in the 5th minute of stoppage time. The game thankfully ended moments later.
So ‘Bomber’ Harris’s side are made of sterner stuff and whilst it was true that the visitors played some good football at times, some theatricals spoilt their performance. Honourable mentions in dispatches for Jack Stevens, Danny Andrew and James Brophy today but in truth the whole side fought for each other. A very poor performance from today’s referee left both sets of players and spectators frustrated with his lack of consistency which I would have expected more from an experienced match official. The U’s have fight in them now and were warmly applauded off. Blackpool only have themselves to blame. Exeter next at the Abbey on Friday, suddenly the games are exciting again….