Match Reports

Blackpool v Albion U21s match report

ALBION's under-21s beat Blackpool 2-1 in their opening Checkatrade Trophy Northern Group C game thanks to a fantastic display at Bloomfield Road.

The result means Jamie Smith's young side, who were without a number of players due to the international break, have now won three matches in a row across a variety of competitions.

It was the Baggies who took the lead inside three minutes when Oliver Burke beat his man on the right and sent a low cross into the box, leaving Finn Azaz to smash the ball home from close-range. 

Albion went close to doubling their advantage a number of times soon after, with Burke’s effort - when through on goal - saved fantastically by Christoffer Mafoumbi. Jonathan Leko then hit the crossbar after finding space on the edge of the area with a great piece of skill.

Blackpool began to pile on the pressure as the half drew on, with Joe Dodoo forcing Jonathan Bond into a save and Michael Nottingham clipping the woodwork.

In a frantic end to the half Alex Bradley was denied by a goal-line clearance and Mafoumbi was at his best again to keep out another couple of Burke efforts, before Blackpool found an equaliser when Steven Davies stooped low to head his team into the break on level terms.

After half-time Blackpool made the stronger start as Bond managed to palm away a Nottingham header and Mark Cullen curled just wide.

But the Baggies came back into the game and, in the midst of a good spell, went back in front on 76 minutes when Alex Bradley brilliantly fired a shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Blackpool pushed forward in the final quarter of an hour but struggled to carve out any real chances until, deep into injury time, Chris Taylor saw his effort saved acrobatically by Bond to ensure his side claimed all three points.

ALBION: Bond, Howkins, Wilding (c), Healy; Meredith, Azaz, Bradley (Morton 80), Harmon; Tulloch (Clayton-Phillips 76), Burke, Leko.

Substitutes: Griffiths, Delaney, Ashton, Barry, Soule.

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