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Match Stats
Blackpool Swansea City
Shots (on Goal) 14(6) 20(14)
Fouls 13 8
Corner Kicks 8 7
Offsides 2 1
Time of Possession 44% 56%
Yellow Cards 1 1
Red Cards 0 0
Saves 8 4
Match Information
Stadium: Bloomfield Road, England
Attendance: 7,007
Match Time: 15:00 UK
Official(s):
D Deadman (Referee)
Swansea missed the opportunity to close in on the play-off pack after
drawing their sixth league game in a row as their Championship clash
with Blackpool ended 1-1 at Bloomfield Road.
The Swans will be disappointed not to have claimed all three points
after dominating much of the game.
They took the lead after 66 minutes through Jason Scotland's solo
goal but half-time substitute Alan Gow hit a fierce shot seven minutes
later to level for the Seasiders meaning Swansea lose further ground and
Blackpool stay in 16th position in the table.
It was the Swans who took control of the game early on and they could
have gone in front inside five minutes but midfielder Leon Britton
flashed his header over the bar from a Thomas Butler corner.
The visitors continued to fashion chances throughout the half with
Jordi Gomez being denied by the in-form Paul Rachubka, Darren Pratley
having his 20-yard drive blocked and Butler firing wide as they pushed
to break the deadlock.
The Seasiders eventually stirred into action towards the end of the
half with Liam Dickinson going close with a header and David Fox forcing
Dorus de Vries into a save with a 25-yard effort.
The hosts, who introduced striker Gow at the interval, continued
their momentum in the early part of the second half and created a couple
of chances with Adam Hammill firing in a low shot that De Vries kept out
after Kyel Reid had a shot blocked after finding himself in a good
position in the area.
Swansea began to find their feet again and Butler had a golden chance
to give his side the lead but the influential midfielder shot straight
at Rachubka from inside the box.
Butler was not made to pay for his miss as on 66 minutes Scotland
broke from the halfway line before unleashing a 20-yard drive that beat
Rachubka and nestled into the corner.
However, the lead did not last long for Swansea as seven minutes
later Gow equalised for the hosts. A neat passing move ended with
Hammill's left-sided cross finding Gow, who had no problems finishing
from 12 yards.
Swansea piled on the pressure in search of a deserved winner and
Blackpool had to rely on a fine save from Rachubka to keep them level as
Butler again went close. The ball fell to him on the edge of the area
and drilled a low shot that looked destined for the bottom corner but a
stretching Rachubka tipped the ball round the post.
Scotland nearly grabbed a second but his shot from the centre of the
penalty area was blocked by Shaun Barker meaning the Swans had to settle
for a point when it should have been three.
Match Comments - Jez Welch
Well, still no win at Bloomfield Road (for as long as I can
remember!) but today we won 1-1...if that make's sense.
Last time we were at Bloomfield we were battered 1-1 today we were by
far the better side. My mate (a Blackpool season ticket holder) was well
pleased with a point following our performance. This was something
echoed by Blackpool fan in a local pub after the game.
Today our passing and work rate was sublime at times. We worked the
ball like magicians and totally outplayed a torrid Blackpool side. Only
problem is we couldn't quite create the opening. I suppose we were the
away side so it will be difficult to open them up, but that's what we
need to do. If I were a Blckpool fan tonight I would be amased that as a
home team they could only play on the break (first half especially).
De Vries was bob on today, very little to do.
Rangel - I fear his Swansea days may be numbered. This boy is
quality. Looked very lively first hlf no so affective second but still
played very well.
Tate - Very impressed by our new left back today. Had a very assurred
game looked calm and cool. My mate the Blackpool fan had a beer with
Tatie's dad in the Swift Hound after the game....says he's a really nice
bloke!
Monk - Solid, no nonsense and the building block for the passing game
we have....Liverpool of the 80's not yet but getting there.
Williams - A giant - no nonsense centre half who may not have won the
first ball all the time but by heck (been living up north far too long!)
won the second ball.
Leon - What a star, never stopped and passed the ball really well.
Pratley - That guy must be knackered! He ran his knackers off today a
great performance and nearly created a winner for Jase with a powerful
run and pullback from the inside right position.
Jordi - Will we be able to keep this guy? I do hope so he's
brilliant. Was one opportunity to play Butler in but decided to shoot. I
suppose if you are that good you are entitled to shoot!
Allen - Well played Joe another mature performance...Ferrie who? ;-)
Butler - Seemed to get in a lot of good positions and had a couple of
half chances to score - worked hard - thing is we had no left foot down
the left today - not such a problem at left back but further up the
field it limited our options.
Scotland - The man! Is that 3 in 4 for him now? What a lot of our
support don't seems to realise is that he's up on his own with usually 2
maybe 3 players trying to get the ball off him. This is something they
rarely do. How many times does the ball get to Scotland and we keep
possession....quite a lot I can tell you. Today he did his job really
well and scored another great goal.
Pintado - I like this guy too. Came on for Allen and we went 4-4-2.
Gave Scotland space and will certainly put himself about. Was very
unlucky not to score when one on one with the keeper - he held off 2
pool defenders and was only denied by the keepers elbow (I think).
Brandy - Not on long (for Butler) and i think I've probably seen my
last Brandy in a Swansea shirt - hard lines and good luck.
Swans support - good in number given the close proximity to Christmas
and the distance travelled (plus Ј27 to stand in the rain on a temporary
stand!). Difficult to get the singing going today as we're spread out up
along the touch line and no roof.
On reflection I would have taken a point before today but we were the
better side and therefore should have won (especially having taken the
lead). Left with a glow knowing that my team are playing some of the
best football Swansea City FC have ever seen. Happy Christmas my fellow
Jacks....happy days!
Blackpool: Rachubka, Barker, Baptiste, Evatt, Martin, Hammill,
Fox, Southern, Reid, Burgess, Dickinson.
Subs: Coid, Vaughan, Taylor-Fletcher, Kabba, Gow.
Swansea: De Vries, Williams, Rangel, Monk, Tate, Britton,
Pratley, Gomez, Allen, Scotland, Butler.
Subs: Konstantopoulos, Brandy, Tudur-Jones, Pintado, Serran.
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