FREAK

Blackpool Rovers 4 THERE have been many games at Hoghton Road of a higher quality over the years. But for sheer entertainment and drama Saturday's contest takes some beating.

In a bizarre twist of events the complexion of the game changed completely after Town had opened well in carrying on from their fine midweek Floodlit Trophy success over Chadderton.

With half an hour gone Town were a goal up and could well have had two or three more.

But with half an hour left they were 4-1 down, courtesy of some eccentric Blackpool goals. But they produced an amazing comeback and could have won but for a penalty miss, a goal-line clearance and and a header which hit the bar.

Pennington had the first real chance, but miscued completely from only six yards as Hill whipped the ball in from the right before Donlan pushed the ball a fraction too far as he raced onto Pennington's flick. And it enabled Butler to make a vital block.

Even so, Town weren't having it all their own way and keeper Mike Allison was forced into a splendid double save to deny Dave Baron.

On 23 minutes Town's extra possession paid off with the first goal when Donlan's left-wing cross found Steve O'Neil free and he picked his spot after chesting down.

Then came a complete turnaround as Blackpool attacked with menace and on 34 minutes an interception and pinpoint pass by Nolan sent Gary Smith away to beat Allison as he came out.

The Town keeper then performed heroics to tip Phil Baron's blast around the post before thrusting out a boot from Dave Brown when a goal looked certain.

Town's defensive unease was underlined when the Wrens took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Dave Baron's intent was merely to head downwards into the danger area.

But remarkably everyone missed the ball and it entered the net at snail's pace.

Forty seconds into the second half Town's woes increased with a virtual fluke as Blackpool's Bracewell miscued a long range effort which was heading for the corner flag when Dave BAron stuck his head into the path to divert home past the helpless Allison.

Just before the hour it seemed all up for Town when another freak goal occurred. Gary Smith raced in on Allison's attempted clearance and the rebound went spiralling into the empty net from the area's edge.

Town could well have been excused for believing this wasn't their day, but they never gave up as Wilson and Quirk came on. And the platform for a great comeback came in the 65th minute when Steve Pennington rattled home O'Neil's fine pull-back.

Town had nothing to lose and risked the odd scare at the back. But by now they had the Wrens rocking and keeper Bloxham twice use his giant frame to block Hill.

With 15 minutes left Town were plugging away relentlessly as O'Neil beat the 'keeper only to see his header rebound off the bar. And there was controversy as he appeared to be wrestled to the floor in the ensuing melee.

Next Pennington saw his cut-back cleared off the line by the retreating Butler. But Pennington was not to be denied and a fine header by O'Neil resulted in Town's top scorer volleying home from seven yards.

With nine minutes left, Town's recovery seemed complete when they were awarded a penalty for handball by Davis. But the delay caused by Blackpool protests affected Pennington, who blasted the spot kick over the bar.

Had that gone in, it's conceivable Town could have gone on to win.

But a last-minute goal by Lanes Trophies man of the match Steve O'Neil after Walmsley's nod down from a corner earned Town a point that had looked a thousand miles away 30 minutes earlier.

This Saturday Town travel to Chadderton (3pm).

Numbers drawn in the club's lottery were 4, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 13. There were no winners and a new draw for £760 from numbers 1-16 takes place this weekend.

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