Blackpool crushed automatic promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers at Bloomfield Road in an excellent way to bounce back from their EFL Trophy setback.
Neil Critchley has previously stated that the Seasiders had overcome hardship and that a reaction was required after their Wembley dream was stolen from them last Tuesday. Due to goal differential, the Trotters finished narrowly outside of the automatic promotion spots; however, Blackpool had a strong record against them and having only lost five times at home during the 2023–24 season.
Blackpool’s Jake Beesley scored a goal to tie the score after George Thomason, a former junior player, had given them the lead. At the half-hour mark, Marvin Ekpiteta gave Blackpool the lead. Two minutes later, Beesley scored a penalty after Ricardo Santos was sent off in the second half. With six minutes left, Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel secured the win, delighting the home crowd.
Blackpool, who are now four points outside of the play-offs, will have a chance to close the gap on Oxford United on Tuesday when they take on Leyton Orient, who have been playing well and are pursuing them. At the Kassam Stadium, Orient defeated the U’s 2-1 thanks to goals from Ollie O’Neill and George Moncur.
Other results included Barnsley defeating Derby County, which was vying for automatic promotion, and Bristol Rovers humiliatingly defeating bottom-of-the-table Carlisle United 2-1 at the Memorial Stadium to cap off a fantastic week for Peterborough United. League leaders Northampton Town defeated Burton Albion 2-0, while Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic drew 0-0.
Following a 1-1 draw at St. James Park between Exeter City and Fleetwood Town, Darren Moore’s Port Vale team lost 2-0 against Lincoln City at home. In other outcomes, Stevenage defeated Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 to complete the round of matches, and Shrewsbury Town defeated Reading 3-2 at the Madesjki Stadium.
A number of players put on some outstanding performances, and thanks to WhoScored—a website that ranks individuals according to their individual accomplishments—they have determined who will be on the Team of the Week. The weekly, monthly, and seasonal awards are determined in part by WhoScored. This week’s team includes players from Blackpool, Reading, Barnsley, Leyton Orient, Shrewsbury Town, and Northampton Town.
1. Louie Moulden, a GK from Northampton Town
Who Scored: 7.71 Pete Norton in picture
2. Jordan Willis, an RB from Northampton Town
7.45 is WhoScored’s rating.
3. Carl Piergianni, the Stevenage-based CB
9.21* WhoScored rating
4. CB: Northampton Town’s Jon Guthrie
Rating from WhoScored: 8.16 Pete Norton in picture
5. LB: Leyton Orient’s Tom James
Rating from WhoScored: 7.40
6. RM (Shrewsbury Town): Tom Bloxham
Rating from WhoScored: 8.23
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