Blackpool VS Lincoln City – Match Report

3pm GMT Kick Off, Wembley Stadium, League One Playoff Final

Despite a nightmare start to the game, Blackpool gain promotion to the Championship after a brilliant double from midfielder Kenneth Dougall

Blackpool found themselves 1-0 down inside the first minute when Oliver Turton turned it into his own net. However, they turned the game on it’s head when Kenneth Dougall scored two well taken goals, which was enough to see the Tangerines play Championship football next season.

The big news ahead of the game was that Blackpool striker, Ellis Simms picked up an injury in training a day before the final, so he missed out on the final and Keshi Anderson would come in to replace him.

Within the first minute, Lincoln took the lead after Oliver Turton turned it into his own net. Brennan Johnson fired a ball into the box and Turton couldn’t find his footing and turned it past Chris Maxwell in goal.

Lincoln had another good chance minutes later after Johnson won a free kick out wide after a great run. The free kick was whipped into a dangerous area, and met by the head of Joe Walsh. He had the power, but not the aim as it went high over the goal.

Blackpool’s first chance came from a free kick which was won by Anderson. Luke Garbett tried his luck from 30 yards out, which was straight at Alex Palmer, who comfortably caught the ball.

Lincoln came so close to a second halfway through the first half. Jorge Grant was able to spin his man and fire a shot goalward as he looked for the top corner. His shot came close to doubling the lead, but it clipped the crossbar.

Then it was Blackpool who came close to scoring. Jerry Yates got onto a loose ball and played it towards the back stick which was met by Demetri Mitchell. He unleashed his shot, but Palmer denied the Tangerines once again.

In the 33th minute, Blackpool pulled back level after a powerful strike from the Australian Kenneth Dougall. The ball bounces around the Lincoln box, Elliot Embleton put it into the path of Dougall who struck it past Palmer. The keeper got a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out.

Blackpool pushed for another before the break. A cross was played into the box and met by the head of Mitchell. It was on target, but easily saved by Palmer.

Blackpool struck again in the 53th minute, and took the lead for the first time in the game. Dougall fired it into the net once again. It was very similar to his first as the ball came out to him on the edge of the box and he drilled the ball into the bottom corner.

Johnson was creating problems for the Blackpool defense and had an oppurtunity to have a shot on goal. He moved it towards the byline, as he looked to pick out Tom Hopper, but he couldn’t get near the ball to turn in goal bound.

Blackpool came so close to sealing the match off as the ball fell to the feet of Yates in the box. He tried to dink it over Palmer and was successful in doing so, but the ball was cleared from danger by Regan Poole.

Blackpool were able to hold on despite late pressure and gain promotion back to the Championship for the first time since the 2014-15 season. They will join Hull City and Peterborough United who also got promoted from League One.

Neil Critchley guided Blackpool to promotion in his first full season in club management, as for Lincoln, they will have to spend at least another season in League One, and will have an attempt at promotion to the Championship next season.

Man Of The Match – Kenneth Dougall

Could it have been anyone else? The midfielder was critical to making sure Blackpool would be playing in the Championship next season.

Dougall scored two great goals in this game, but he also put in a solid performance in midfield as he won the ball back a number of times and showcased his physicality when in danger.

“Olympic Football at Wembley Stadium” by the_junes is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

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