Former FA Cup winners, Blackpool make the long trip to the South Coast this afternoon to face National League South side, Eastbourne Borough. Eastbourne will be hoping for a bit of cup magic today, as they hope to reach the second round for the first time in the clubs history. With two wins on the bounce, Blackpool will look to continue their run of form, and carry the momentum back into the league. Remember, no replays in the cup this season so we will be going to extra time, then penalties if need be.
Harry Buckett will be taking you through the action.
Starting Lineups:
KICK OFF After a minutes silence is held we are underway on this Remembrance Sunday.
1′ CHANCE (BLP) CJ Hamilton uses his quick feet to break into the box and picks out Jerry Yates who has an effort on goal flicked onto the post, by the fingertips of Franco Ravizzoli. Brilliant save by the Eastbourne number one.
5′ (EAB) Hammond sends in a looping corner towards the back post but Charlie Walker can only head high and wide.
8′ A good battle starting to form down the right hand side as this time Kai Innocent contains the pace of Hamilton, and wins his side a free kick.
11′ CHANCE (BLP) Hamilton’s cross falls to Sullay Kaikai but again the resulting strike hits the post and Eastbourne can clear.
Embed from Getty Images12′ CHANCE (EAB) Greg Luer breaks through the Blackpool defence, after a long ball over the top, and finds himself one on one with the keeper. Chris Maxwell is quick to come out and blocks the low driven effort. End to end stuff here at Priory Lane, with both sides threatening.
17′ SAVE Kenny Dougall finds himself in some space around the edge of the area and decides to have a crack on goal. Ravizzoli gets down low to palm it away and keep the scores level.
20′ Borough work the ball into the box nicely but their hopes for a goal are brushed aside by a great block from Marvin Ekpiteta.
24′ Kaikai plays a well-timed through ball into Yates but his effort on goal isn’t struck cleanly. Shouts for handball from the Blackpool players as the ball appeared to strike the hand of James Ferry in the box, but the referee waves it away. It would have been a harsh penalty if it was given.
Embed from Getty Images31′ Gary Madine hits a speculative half-volley from just outside the centre circle which almost flies into the top corner. What a goal that would have been had it found the back of the net.
33′ CHANCE (BLP) Hamilton makes himself a nuisance yet again and tees up Yates who strikes through the ball with power. A strong hand from Ravizzoli keeps it out and, after a few scrappy seconds, the ball is eventually cleared. Ravizzoli really earning his money today with a number of good stops in the first period.
38′ A long period of Blackpool possession ultimately comes to nothing as they struggle to find a way through the Borough defence.
Embed from Getty Images41′ Steven James demonstrates a good old non league tackle as he wins the ball strongly off of Kaikai down the left.
43′ Blackpool’s inswinging corner is flicked on towards the back post by Marvin Ekpiteta but Daniel Gretarsson can’t quite get the desired connection on the ball.
HALFTIME Blackpool have certainly looked the more dangerous team, however Eastbourne have by no means made it easy for them. Hamilton has been a standout player so far, playing a key role in the majority of Blackpool’s goal scoring opportunities. Rivozzoli has been kept busy and made a number of good save, the pick of the bunch taking place within the first minute. It really could be anyone’s game in this second half, with Eastbourne still in this game.
46′ The teams are back out and we are underway for the second half.
49′ CHANCE (BLP) Kaikai has a shot blocked and the deflection falls perfectly for Madine in the box. His wastes his one on one opportunity as he sends the ball just wide of the post.
50′ Although Blackpool are eventually flagged offside, Ravizzoli pulls off a save any Premier League goalkeeper would be proud of, to deny the close-range finish.
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52′ YELLOW Chris Whelpdale is shown the first card of the game for his strong challenge in the air.
56′ SUB (EAB) Charley Kendall is brought on to replace the booked Whelpdale
58′ GOAL (BLP) James Husband sends a low curling ball towards the edge of the box which Madine controls and hits into the far right hand corner on the half volley. It has certainly been coming and it will be interesting to see how Eastbourne respond to this.
61′ CHANCE (BLP) It should be two. Hamilton slides the ball across goal to give Yates the chance to tap it into the empty net. James Vaughan slides across to block the ball off the line and out for a corner.
62′ CHANCE (BLP) Blackpool get a header off on goal from the corner which beats the keeper but is blocked off of the line by Hammond. Moments later, Blackpool have a shout for handball that is waved away again by the ref. Hard to call that one, a lot like the last shout it probably would have been a harsh one to give.
68′ GOAL (BLP) It’s that man again. Madine slots home into the bottom left corner after Yates sets him up perfectly from around the penalty spot. Looking like a tough hill to climb for Eastbourne, who have been struggling this half.
70′ SUB (BLP) Dan Kemp replaces CJ Hamilton. The winger has had a great showing this afternoon, he’s been a real key player for Blackpool.
75′ Eastbourne getting a few half chances but nothing that is going to trouble Maxwell. They need to really step it up a gear if they want to challenge for a place in the next round.
77′ Kendall has a curling shot from the edge of the area go just wide of the post after cutting in onto his left foot.
80′ Eastbourne putting some pressure on Blackpool now. Kendall has an effort blocked by the face of Marvin Ekpiteta, the ball eventually goes out for a goal kick following an overhit cross.
83′ SUB (BLP) Madine is replaced by Bez Lubala. Madine can be happy with his performance today, scoring a brace and being heavily involved throughout.
85′ SUB (BLP) Kenny Dougall is brought off for Grant Ward.
87′ YELLOW Greg Luer is shown a yellow card.
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89′ Yellow Kent is shown the yellow after a late challenge from behind. Eastbourne given a good opportunity from the free kick but it is sent straight into the keepers clutches. It really is now or never for Borough.
90′ There will be four minutes of added time
90+1′ Gravata puts the ball in the back of the net but it won’t count as he is penalised for a push on the defender.
90+2′ GOAL (BLP) The ball is won back by Blackpool and is played through to Yates who fires into the far right bottom corner. His late goal has seemed to seal the win for his side.
FULL TIME Eastbourne Borough 0-3 Blackpool
Embed from Getty ImagesBlackpool earn their place in the second round of the FA Cup after a fairly comfortable performance. Eastbourne had their chances in the first half, most notably Luer’s one on one chance, which had it been tucked away we would have had a very different game on our hands. Blackpool controlled the second half and the score line reflected their efforts.
Blackpool will now await the second round draw, which takes place tomorrow evening, as well as their EFL Trophy fixture against Leeds U21’S on Wednesday. Eastbourne can’t dwell on their loss for too long, as they are in league action Tuesday evening, facing fellow playoff hopefuls Ebbsfleet United.
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