Burscough FC v Blackpool FC – Saturday July 11th 2009.

New manager Ian Holloway promised to take a strong side to Burscough FC and he was true to his word.  Each half saw a completely different side.  In the first half Blackpool FC 'A' was made up entirely of first team regulars.  They played very well in the first half with only three at the back for most of the opening 45 with Coid, Taylor-Fletcher, Clarke, Southern and Vaughan bossing midfield.  Mitchley and Burgess were the strikers with Baptiste, Evatt and Crainey in front of Chubs.  Two classy first half goals from an impressive Taylor-Fletcher highlighted Pool's dominance. 

In the second period we saw a number of new faces for Blackpool 'B' FC along with Barker, Ormerod, Joe Martin and Nardiello.  Joe Martin caught the eye as did Nardiello when he wasn't arguing with the ref.  A good finish by Brett and a late own goal gave Blackpool FC a 4-0 win and a satisfactory start for Holloway.  One of the best things about attending such local away friendlies is that you can really get close to the action.

Gary Taylor Fletcher in the warm up.

Alex Baptiste.

GTF pinned down in midfield.

'………and finally, a vowel please Carol”.

Ian Evatt.

Barker (Left) would play the second half.

Steve Thompson

Baptiste signs a few tangerine shirts prior to kick off.

Pre match meal.

Crainey is made captain for the day.

We're underway.

A crunching pre-season challenge.

The new shirt gets its first airing.

Brett can't wait to get on.

Well protected from the hot sun.

Danny Coid getting a good sweat on.

GTF (12) nips in to head the through ball over the advancing keeper.  0 – 1

Minutes later a long kick from Chubs found Taylor -Fletcher unmarked out wide on the right.  He still had a lot to do but he took it left footed across the defence and in the above picture he shapes to bend it into the bottom left corner – great goal 0-2

Half time and Blackpool A FC enjoy a 'warm down'.

An apple for Baptiste.

Second half striker Louis Almond – fast and strong.

Second half Pool keeper Gilks has it covered.

Brett Ormerod.

Goal mouth scramble.

A great through ball finds Brett onside and he makes no mistake as he shoots across the Burscough FC keeper. 0-3

Good finish Brett.

A corner from the left is headed into his own goal by the Burscough defender.  0-4

The Burscough 'lucky' mascot in the background gets strangled after failing to work its magic this afternoon.

Game over.

Job done – it's a good start.

Sportspy 2009/10

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