Dillon Scores As United Make Blackpool Rock

Last updated : 18 November 2005 By Thetashkentterror
Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
The Cumbrians fielded a strong line-up in this Pontins Holiday League Division One West clash. New loan signing Michael Bridges was partnered upfront with trialist reserve striker Marc Walton who is out of contract with Newcastle United in June 2006. Walton is in his final YTS year with the Toon giants and has been told by the Tynesiders that he is unlikely to be offered the chance to be a professional at St James' Park.

It was almost a full strength midfield put out by reserves coach Billy Barr as well with Dan Dillon, Jamie McClen, Adam Murray and Brendan McGill making up the four in there. With David Beherall also starring at right-back it meant four ex, and current, Newcastle players in the Carlisle line-up.

Blackpool had the first opening of the game within five minutes when from their own corner the ball fell to Matt Blinkhorn, but his low shot was well held by Anthony Williams in the United goal.

The Seasiders had another opportunity on eight minutes, again through young striker Blinkhorn. Midfielder Ciaran Donnelly laid a lovely ball into the channel for the forward who did well to round Williams only to send his effort on goal narrowly wide.

After eighteen minutes it was Sean Paterson who was denied by Williams as the home side continued to put pressure on the Carlisle goal.

The Blues started to come into the game though and after 21 minutes trialist Walton had a good chance from an incisive McGill run but he could only scuff his shot, allowing the Blackpool defence to clear.

On the half-hour mark the Seasiders wasted their best chance of the game. Captain and centre-half Mark McGregor challenged Williams in the air for the ball with Williams initially taking the ball but then dropping it. As the ball fell to the feet of McGregor, with the goal at his mercy, he panicked and fired his shot wide of the target.

Just before the interval United stepped up the pace and made two good chances. Firstly new striker Bridges was denied by an excellent save from Seasiders keeper Lee Jones then Dan Dillon volleyed narrowly wide after making a good run into the far-post area.

The Cumbrians came out strongly after the break and missed a good opening just five minutes into the half. McGill put a great cross in from the right but Beherall could only head over the 'Pool bar from just eight yards out.

Blackpool rattled the United woodwork on 63 minutes when Blinkhorn was in the thick of the action once more with a rasping drive.

Seven minutes later and the Blues scored the first, and only goal of the game, through a great piece of skill from third-year YTS midfielder Dillon following a nice lay-off from Bridges. The London-born youngster ran in well from his left-hand berth, dribbled the ball past two covering defenders and then finished sweetly with the outside of his foot from eight yards out.

Williams made two good saves in the space of three minutes shortly afterwards as he twice denied Blinkhorn, who seemed to be the sum total of Blackpool's attacking options.

United just managed to hang on to the full three points when the home side were denied a leveller in injury time due to an offside decision. Scottish midfielder Paterson was the disappointed Seasider as he fired home after a goalmouth scramble in the United box only to see the assistant referee's flag go up straight away.

A good performance all-in-all from the Carlisle reserves on a bobbly pitch although a bit of quality was lacking in the final third. Bridges got little service from the midfield but worked hard for the cause while Walton showed some good movement but looked a little short of match fitness. The 18-year old from Blakelaw will get another chance to prove his worth though in the next second-string outing at home to Tranmere in two weeks time according to United reserves boss Billy Barr.



Blackpool line-up :

Lee Jones, Danny Coid (James Foran 46), Sean Clancy, Tony Butler (Paul Parle 69), Mark McGregor, Matt Shaw, Ciaran Donnelly (Ryan Watson 63), Scott Vernon, Rory Prendergast, Matt Blinkhorn, Sean Paterson.

Unused subs :

Lewis Edge and Cabbar Bagdagi.

United line-up :

Anthony Williams, David Beherall, Matty Bell, Simon Grand, Dan Kirkup, Jamie McClen, Brendan McGill, Adam Murray, Marc Walton (trialist) (Andy Hardman 75), Michael Bridges, Dan Dillon.

Substitutes :

Paul Gardiner, Richie Hoban, Rob Bainbridge and Adam Bradley.


Other results in the division this week :

Chester 1-3 Rochdale
Preston 2-0 Bury
Shrewsbury 3-1 Wrexham


Updated Reserve Team Table : Click here

Updated Reserve Team Results : Click here