Friday May 4, 2012 Semifinal Finished Bloomfield Road

  1. Blackpool take edge in first leg

    Blackpool take edge in first leg

    A Curtis Davies own goal gave Blackpool a 1-0 advantage in the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Birmingham at Bloomfield Road. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Blackpool
    • Birmingham City
    • 90+3' He doesn't return - the full-time whistle sounds and it's advantage Blackpool in a timid and scrappy first leg. A typical first leg with both sides well aware 90 minutes are still to come. Thanks for joining me this evening! Be sure to check out the full report and stats on uk.yahoo.eurosport.com and follow me on Twitter for more sports news and musings - @liamhappe
    • 90+2' Blackpool down to ten here while Evatt awaits clearance to return to play.
    • 90+1' Two minutes added on at the end here as Evatt rushes to the touchline - his broken nose has opened up again and he is gushing claret.
    • 90' Early ball from the left is laid off by Mutch on the volley to KING! Wide! Should have absolutely buried that.
    • 88' King adds another offside to the sticker collection. Looks like we're peetering out to a 1-0 finish here at Bloomfield Road. Will a late goal come from out of nowhere?
    • 87' Murphy sees a long ball safely out for a goal kick.
    • 85' A lot of this flaggage can be attributed to the cautiousness of both sides in the first leg, playing the offside trap in defensive vigilance.
    • 84' Phillips almost plays Dicko through but the flag is up AGAIN.
    • 83' @hunkymaza concurs: " these players would be very dangerous if someone explained what offside was" - follow me on Twitter @liamhappe
    • 81' King offside again now. The linesmen have had as much a workout as the players tonight.
    • 80' Ten minutes left. Can Birmingham pull back to level terms for their home leg next week?
    • 79' It's now the other Phillips offside now, as Matt is denied a run through on goal by the flag.
    • 77' Wicked cross from the right by the hosts is met by the head of Phillips! No, flag is up! What a start that would have been for the sub and it's now four times we've had the ball over the line but for offside.
    • 76' @Murray_Hughes tips the home side to hold on: "Blackpool for the win Ian Hollaway will lead them back to the prem" - follow me on Twitter @liamhappe and let me know your thoughts on the game.
    • 75' Holloway replies with a double switch: Dobbie and Taylor-Fletcher are replaced by Kevin Phillips and Nouha Dicko.
    • 74' Redmond makes way for Jonathan Spector in the first change of the match.
    • 73' King slots one in up the pitch, but once again the flag is up.
    • 72' Ince dribbles his way through the defence superbly, may well be guilty of holding onto it too long but his eventual square ball at close range appears to be handballed by Taylor-Fletcher. Either way, it goes to waste.
    • 71' It'll be Crainey with the shot... but it goes straight into the wall.
    • 70' Much delay getting the wall the right distance away. Four blackpool players want this - Ince, Dobbie, Crainey and Ferguson.
    • 69' Ince wins a free-kick from Ibanez inside the 'D'. The home side take it quickly and score, but the ball was moving. Halsey will have them take this properly.
    • 68' Dobbie's early ball from the left goes straight to Doyle.
    • 67' Gilks casually lets a back-pass run under his foot! It's a bit of a scare, but he quickly recovers the ball.
    • 66' The goal has been officially recorded as a Davies own goal, by the way.
    • 65' Burke tries the spectacular on the second ball from the set piece, but it's headed towards Row Z.
    • 64' Elliott's shot is closed down by Baptiste, but the ball came off the Blues player last. Nonetheless, a corner is given.
    • 63' Evatt with a quality challenge to snuff out the threat of King.
    • 62' Poor defending from Birmingham as a long ball comes from the other end of the pitch and Ince collects, befuddles the centre-backs and slots a ball through to Dobbie! The striker places a massive chance over the top far corner!
    • 61' Taylor-Fletcher almost heads a ball onto Dobbie, but Doyle has it covered.
    • 60' King appears to catch Eardley with an elbow. The defender is furious, but nothing is given. It did appear to be more careless than deliberate.
    • 59' Phillips gets the better of Murphy on the right and his low cut-back picks out Taylor-Fletcher! Brilliant block from Ramage to prevent a sure second!
    • 58' Superb slide in by Davies to deny Ince cutting into the box from Crainey's great run and through pass down the left on the break.
    • 56' Blackpool just edging possession in the game now, 52-48%.
    • 55' Phillips cracks one over the bar for the hosts.
    • 53' Redmond's final ball is cut out as Birmingham press with numbers.
    • 52' More of a flow to the early going in this second period, the two sides trading possession a little faster and moving to attack more directly.
    • 51' @astonvillab66 says, unsurprisingly, "come on Blackpool"...
    • 50' Taylor-Fletcher almost puts Dobbie through with a cheeky back-heel, but the ball is blocked by Davies.
    • 49' Gilks catches Burke's cross into the danger zone.
    • 47' Christopher Arnold (@bcfcarn) retains faith in his side: "Zigic on - 1-2 Blues". Keep your thoughts coming @liamhappe
    • 46' Birmingham get us back underway in the second half.
    • 45+2' Half-time: Blackpool 1 (Ince 44') Birmingham 0. Can the Tangerines hold on, or will the Blues fight back? Let me know what you think on Twitter @liamhappe
    • 45+1' Burke's cross from the right is put behind for a corner by Eardley, but the hosts counter from the set piece until Phillips loses possesion on the right wing.
    • 45' Great time to score, a sucker-punch for Birmingham but deserved over the course of the half. Two minutes of added time at the end of the half.
    • 44' Blackpool lead! Ince's distance drive is deflected beyond Doyle by the ankle of an unwitting Davies! 1-0 to the home side!
    • 43' @davidnickson3 says: " i think blackpool could edge it tonight on home turf but a difficult game at st andrews 2-1 to the pool tonight UTMP!!!"
    • 42' Brilliant ball from Ferguson finds Taylor-Fletcher through and onside... but the bounce just takes it away from the striker, who didn't have the footing to volley it first-time.
    • 41' @acedoddy asks: " do you think whoever wins will be able to beat west ham? presuming they do not throw there lead away???" - I do think it's possible - Birmingham were a handful for the Irons at Upton Park and Blackpool's play-offs form is good. Keep 'em coming to @liamhappe
    • 40' But now the away side break through Mutch's fantastic through pass to Burke on the right channel. He reaches the byline and then cuts it back for King, who is just over the bar with his first-time drive!
    • 39' Davies volleys clear an awkward deflected cross from the right.
    • 38' Ince and Dobbie combine to tee up Ferguson inside the 'D' to drive one over the bar. Decent play, but still no goals.
    • 37' Taylor-Fletcher's headed flick-on almost meets the run of Dobbie, but Murphy does well to get there first.
    • 35' Foul on Burke by Ferguson near the halfway line and Birmingham take the free-kick short.
    • 34' @mrbigstock fancies the hosts in this one - "Defo Blackpool. Holloway has all the experience of getting Blackpool thru the play offs. C'mon Blackpool" - keep your thoughts coming: @liamhappe - and be sure to follow as well!
    • 33' The corner, Blackpool's fifth to Birmingham's one, comes to nothing and it's another goal kick from Doyle.
    • 32' Martinez plays a short ball to Dobbie, who from 30 yards out launches a fierce drive at Doyle, who pushes the effort around the near post! Great hit.
    • 31' Ince jinks and swivels on the edge of the box, but his eventual ball is in straight to Doyle.
    • 30' Shots on goal thus far: Blackpool 7-5 Birmingham. On target: 4-2.
    • 29' Raking ball upfield from Blackpool goes out for a goal kick.
    • 28' This one looks like it could go either way from the opening 28 minutes, and the next big incident could snap the game into a higher gear altogether. Who do you think/hope will get the edge in this first leg? Let me know on Twitter - @liamhappe
    • 27' King's hold-up play goes awry and brings an abrupt half to an attempted Blues counter.
    • 25' Third corner in as many minutes is half-cleared into the path of Martinez, whose leaping volley goes over the bar.
    • 24' Ince's inswinging delivery is headed behind by Davies for another corner from the other side, which is cleared from danger.
    • 23' Ferguson wins Blackpool a corner off Ibanez.
    • 22' The flag catches King out at the other end - this game has settled down a little since that lively opening.
    • 20' Phillips fires wide of the upright.
    • 19' Possession a dead heat thus far: Blackpool 50% Birmingham 50%.
    • 18' Gilks saves a speculative Burke effort.
    • 16' Brum defensive hesitation leaves a loose ball to fall to Evatt at close range, but he's as surprised as anyone and heads wide.
    • 15' The visitors are enjoying a decent spell here. Burke's looping cross from the right is headed back across goal by Elliott where Redmond skies a shot over the bar. Should have done better from only 10 yards out.
    • 14' King sends a scissors kick miles wide after great work on the left from Elliott.
    • 13' Matt Phillips' bobbled distance shot is well seen and held by Doyle.
    • 12' A Birmingham attack runs safely out of play and Gilks takes the goal kick.
    • 11' Redmond and King also change boots for longer studs in the break, before we finally get back underway.
    • 10' Doyle took a bump there and gets a bit of treatment before we resume.
    • 9' Blackpool win a free-kick in a decent position, which Dobbie sends against the wall. Eardley sends it back into the danger zone and Evatt's header is caught by Doyle.
    • 8' Ince is unable to keep Crainey's cross-field pass in play. Birmingham take the defensive throw.
    • 7' Redmond has a shot closed down from the set piece before a header across goal cannot pick out a team-mate for the finishing touch.
    • 6' Birmingham finally get the ball into the Blackpool half and win the first corner of the game.
    • 5' Another venture by Dobbie sees the ball fall to an unmarked Ince, but his goal will not stand as he was well offside. Bright start from Blackpool, however.
    • 4' Fantastic skill by Dobbie to ghost the ball past two defenders via his heels, but the resulting shot from 20 yards is closed down.
    • 3' Paul Ince is in attendance to watch his son Thomas for the home side.
    • 2' Blackpool go on the attack almost immediately from the kick-off but Dobbie is caught offside.
    • 1' And the home side get the contest started.
    • 19:45 The teams are on the pitch and we are ready to roll here at Bloomfield Road - send your messages during the game to me via Twitter @liamhappe and I will publish during the match.
    • 19:40 Mark Halsey will be the man in the middle tonight.
    • 19:35 Kick-off is ten minutes away. Don't forget to let me know your predictions and thoughts on the first of two crucial legs here at Bloomfield Road on Twitter - @liamhappe
    • 19:30 Chris Hughton on the Blues' recent results over Blackpool: “Does it give us an edge? No, not all. What it does do is give us the knowledge about them and it’s very simple: they’re a very good team, they’ve had a year in the Premier League, they’ve managed to hold on to a good chunk of players and they have a wonderful mix of experience and youth. They’re an offensive team, they aren’t going to be many games where they don’t score. The threats that they pose us are quite obviously there to see.”
    • 19:25 Ian Holloway on the Tangerines' play-off success in 2010: "For part of me it was almost like a dream. It happened so quickly that I didn't really get chance to absorb it. I'd love every minute of this if we managed to do it again because I think it was so quick, so fast, so unique. None of us really had time for it to sink in."
    • 19:20 TEAMS - Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey, Ferguson, Angel, Dobbie, Matt Phillips, Taylor-Fletcher, Ince. Subs: Halstead, Southern, Kevin Phillips, Dicko, Harris. /// Birmingham: Doyle, Ramage, Davies, Ibanez, Murphy, Burke, N'Daw, Mutch, Elliott, Redmond, King. Subs: Butland, Townsend, Rooney, Zigic, Spector.
    • 19:15 Birmingham striker Nikola Zigic should also overcome knee trouble picked up in the regular season closer against champions Reading, while Jonathan Spector is also expected to be available following a thigh injury. Keith Fahey (groin) and Stephen Carr (knee) may miss the first leg encounter.
    • 19:10 Blackpool will be without Craig Cathcart, who continues to have his heart palpitations assessed, while Roman Bednar may return to the side after featuring for the reserves following a knee injury.
    • 19:05 Fans of both clubs will be pretty much expecting to meet West Ham at Wembley in return for success in their own semi, after the Irons secured a 2-0 win in the away leg last night in Cardiff. West Ham take control
    • 19:00 Good evening and welcome to our LIVE text coverage of the first leg of the second semi-final in this season's Championship play-offs. Blackpool play-host to Birmingham in a battle of two sides relegated from the top flight last year. Follow me on Twitter @liamhappe and send over your predictions, they'll be published here through the countdown to kick-off.

  • Summary

    • 90' Early ball from the left is laid off by Mutch on the volley to KING! Wide! Should have absolutely buried that.
    • 77' Wicked cross from the right by the hosts is met by the head of Phillips! No, flag is up! What a start that would have been for the sub and it's now four times we've had the ball over the line but for offside.
    • 72' Ince dribbles his way through the defence superbly, may well be guilty of holding onto it too long but his eventual square ball at close range appears to be handballed by Taylor-Fletcher. Either way, it goes to waste.
    • 62' Poor defending from Birmingham as a long ball comes from the other end of the pitch and Ince collects, befuddles the centre-backs and slots a ball through to Dobbie! The striker places a massive chance over the top far corner!
    • 59' Phillips gets the better of Murphy on the right and his low cut-back picks out Taylor-Fletcher! Brilliant block from Ramage to prevent a sure second!
    • 44' Blackpool lead! Ince's distance drive is deflected beyond Doyle by the ankle of an unwitting Davies! 1-0 to the home side!
    • 42' Brilliant ball from Ferguson finds Taylor-Fletcher through and onside... but the bounce just takes it away from the striker, who didn't have the footing to volley it first-time.
    • 40' But now the away side break through Mutch's fantastic through pass to Burke on the right channel. He reaches the byline and then cuts it back for King, who is just over the bar with his first-time drive!
    • 38' Ince and Dobbie combine to tee up Ferguson inside the 'D' to drive one over the bar. Decent play, but still no goals.
    • 32' Martinez plays a short ball to Dobbie, who from 30 yards out launches a fierce drive at Doyle, who pushes the effort around the near post! Great hit.
    • 25' Third corner in as many minutes is half-cleared into the path of Martinez, whose leaping volley goes over the bar.
    • 15' The visitors are enjoying a decent spell here. Burke's looping cross from the right is headed back across goal by Elliott where Redmond skies a shot over the bar. Should have done better from only 10 yards out.
    • 5' Another venture by Dobbie sees the ball fall to an unmarked Ince, but his goal will not stand as he was well offside. Bright start from Blackpool, however.
    • 19:20 TEAMS - Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey, Ferguson, Angel, Dobbie, Matt Phillips, Taylor-Fletcher, Ince. Subs: Halstead, Southern, Kevin Phillips, Dicko, Harris. /// Birmingham: Doyle, Ramage, Davies, Ibanez, Murphy, Burke, N'Daw, Mutch, Elliott, Redmond, King. Subs: Butland, Townsend, Rooney, Zigic, Spector.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      8 -
      Defenders
      8.1 -
      8.4 -
      8.3 -
      7.9 -
      Midfielders
      8.8 -
      Substitution Out75′ 8.8 -
      8.8 -
      Substitution Out75′ 8.3 -
      8.6 -
      Strikers
      8.2 -
      Subs
      Substitution In75′ 7.8 -
      Substitution In75′ 7.3 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.6 -
      Defenders
      5.6 -
      Own Goal 5.2 -
      5.5 -
      5.5 -
      Midfielders
      5.4 -
      5.2 -
      5.9 -
      6.2 -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out74′ 5.3 -
      5.4 -
      Subs
      Substitution In74′ 7 -

Comment 26 - 46 of 46

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  1. i AM A PNE SUPPORTER PNE TILL I DIE

    From Mitch, on Wed 9 May 20:09

  2. Hmm i don't think i saw angel martinez playing up­ front eurosport...

    From swanbiff, on Fri 4 May 22:51

  3. ince is not on loan from liverpool forget it scouser

    From Edward, on Fri 4 May 22:41
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    whichever 3 teams come up that will guarantee 18 points­ for Man City next season thank you

    From , on Fri 4 May 22:36

  5. well done b pool win next half too

    From giant, on Fri 4 May 22:17

  6. Cmon Bum ffs...i dont want that bumpkin Holloway back­ on my box for a whole bloody season.

    From Andy, on Fri 4 May 21:44

  7. leo no he isn't he is on a 2 year contract,­ liverpool just have first refusal

    From stuart b, on Fri 4 May 21:41

  8. Someone should inform Hughton that he's allowed to­ make 3 substitutes per match.

    From Aleksandar, on Fri 4 May 21:39

  9. dennis millwall tosser coui

    From john, on Fri 4 May 21:30
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    INCE is on LOAN from LFC and he's­ IMPRESSED....................DAGLISH has gotta get him­ back for next season!!

    From Leo, on Fri 4 May 21:25

  11. 4 GOALS IN 3 DISALLOWED CMON POOL

    From Despatch, on Fri 4 May 21:21

  12. GG@38. It's for you!Come On You Idiots!

    From El Coco, on Fri 4 May 21:09

  13. What does COYI mean?

    From G G, on Fri 4 May 21:02

  14. Mutch just hasn't got it for me. Only gets his game­ because we have absolutely no midfielders left as far­ as I can tell.

    From John, on Fri 4 May 20:57

  15. west ham wont win the play off , ur managers the­ churchill dog oh yes

    From Jon D, on Fri 4 May 20:54

  16. lucky goal_ dont care who win-neither team gaining­ promotion....COYI westham all the way.

    From geezer, on Fri 4 May 20:46
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I manage Blackpool in Football Manager 2012 so hope­ they win. If the get promoted they should sell all of­ their players and buy new ones. It might take a few­ years but they will stay up long enough to build a­ squad capable of winning the premier league. If only­ games were real.

    From Happy, on Fri 4 May 20:46
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    What is wrong with Houghton he needs to win games needs­ goals yet he still keeps Zigic on the bench!!! Sorry­ Birmingham fans but you have a muppet as a manager.

    From john g, on Fri 4 May 20:45

  19. Cmon Blues! Just a small set back keep going you are­ the 'comeback kings'! Blues to win 2-1.­ Forever Blue. KRO

    From Pete, on Fri 4 May 20:44

  20. Cmon pool keep ur heads down and lets go there with a­ win utmp!!!!!

    From Despatch, on Fri 4 May 20:41
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