Blackpool player ratings: In form striker and ex-Celtic wonderkid among three to score 9/10 in victory over Cheltenham
Amos Wynn
·4-min read
Blackpool welcomed Cheltenham Town to Bloomfield Road. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Shayne Lavery and Karamoko Dembele were also on the scoresheet for Neil Critchley’s side at Bloomfield Road.
Despite leading 3-0 after 40 minutes, a Will Goodwin brace made the closing stages tense for the Seasiders, as they needed to stay switched on to claim the three points.
Both sides had early opportunities to open the scoring.
Dan Grimshaw made an early save with the game at 0-0, but wasn't troubled too frequently throughout the game. He'll come away disappointed after being beaten twice by the Robins. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Goodwin forced an excellent stop from Dan Grimshaw at one end, while at the other Dembele smashed the ball against crossbar.
The first goal of the evening came in the 17th minute, with Lavery putting the Seasiders in front.
A cross by Dominic Thompson to the back post was met by Rhodes, who headed the ball back across the face of goal- where the Northern Ireland striker was waiting to finish.
Blackpool had a chance to double their lead shortly after, with Callum Connolly placing a header wide of the target from close-range.
Matthew Pennington had some solid moments during the game.The defender dealt with a number of situations well, and always seemed to be alert at the back.Like his defensive colleagues he'll be disappointed to have conceded twice. (Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)
Just after the half hour mark, Critchley’s side did have their second, as Rhodes claimed his goal.
Albie Morgan attempted a shot from distance with a free kick, but the effort was deflected.
Rhodes was alert to the situation, and reacted quickly to direct a header towards goal, which ultimately found its way into the back of the net due to the keeper being caught off guard.
It wasn’t long until Dembele added his name to the scoresheet as well, with the former Celtic youngster producing a curling effort from the edge of the box.
It was another solid night for Olly Casey, with the centre back distributing the ball well from the back. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Ahead of half time, Goodwin pulled one back for the visitors, as Blackpool’s calls for offside were waved away by the officials.
Following the restart, Blackpool came close to adding another, with CJ Hamilton firing an effort straight at Luke Southwood after cutting in from the right wing.
Cheltenham did grow into the second half, and pulled another goal back through Goodwin heading into the final five minutes.
Despite the visitors’ late resurgence, the Seasiders were able to hold onto the three points.
A solid return to the starting line-up for Callum Connolly- who was handed the captain's armband. The defender had an opportunity to score, but headed wide of the target from close-range. On the whole, he looked very composed at the back, but will be disappointed with the goals. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Here’s how Critchley’s side performed:
CJ Hamilton enjoyed a lot of joy down the wing against the Robins. He probably should've scored at the beginning of the second, when he cut inside from the right side, with his effort straight at the keeper. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Albie Morgan looked bright on his return to the starting 11 in the league. His deflected free kick somehow found its way to the head of Rhodes for the opener. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Kenny Dougall looked impressive in midfield. The Australian just seemed to control things, while also providing an extra layer of protection for the defence. (Photo: CameraSport - Rob Newell)
Dominic Thompson was among those recalled to the Seasiders' starting line-up for the visit of Cheltenham.There were some shaky moments, but on the whole it was a solid enough night for the fullback, who provided the cross into the box to Rhodes in the build-up to Lavery's goal. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
It was Karamoko Dembele's best performance so far for the Seasiders. The attacker featured for 66 minutes, and looked bright throughout. He had already hit the crossbar by the time he had got Blackpool's third goal of the night. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
You just can't seem to stop Jordan Rhodes at the moment. His ability to score from anything is frightening. There's very few players who could've scored the effort he did in the first, with his reactions his ahead of anyone else on the pitch. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Shayne Lavery returned to the starting 11 for the visit of Cheltenham, and had his goal after 17 minutes. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Sonny Carey came on in the second half and looked bright enough. The midfielder came close to adding his name to the scoresheet, with a shot deflected over the bar. (Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)
Like Carey, Kouassi came on and got stuck in. (Photo: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)
Jensen Weir didn't do too much of note after replacing Morgan. (Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
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