Youth team’s seaside stunner

GOALS from James Tarkowski and Ryan Burns earned Athletic's youth team an excellent 2-0 win at Blackpool — ending the home side's nine-match 100-per-cent record in all competitions.

Athletic entered the game without scholars Andrew Crompton and Connor Hughes, with Kyle Riley only fit enough to take a place on the substitutes' bench.

A dominant first-half show from Tony Philliskirk's side saw them enter the break with a one-goal advantage courtesy of Tarkowski's fine header from a corner.

In the second half, goalkeeper Shaun Routledge was forced into action to flick a Blackpool penalty on to the post, after Alex Parkes had committed a push in the box.

Athletic had other chances on the break to wrap things up as Blackpool sought an equaliser and eventually profited when substitute Riley emerged to square a ball across the area which Burns — who has trained with the first team this week — finished off.

A trip to Walsall awaits Athletic in the second round of the Football League Youth Alliance Cup this Saturday (noon kick-off).