Big Matt towers over Blackpool

Photo: Chris Sunderland

HANDS UP . . . Latics new boy Zander Diamond (left) made his debut for Paul Dickov’s side.

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ATHLETIC 2, BLACKPOOL 1
SMITH AND MELLOR STRIKE TO SEE OFF TANGERINES

Goals from Matt Smith and David Mellor provided the major talking points as Athletic posted a deserved victory over lacklustre Blackpool.

Beanpole striker Smith, brought in from non-league Solihull Moors, powered home a first-half header from short range to give Paul Dickov’s men a first half lead, the assist provided by a sweet Paul Black cross from the left wing.

Second-year scholar David Mellor slammed home a second-half free-kick with his left foot from 18 yards out to double Athletic’s advantage, prior to Billy Clarke halving the deficit with a late left-footed shot which just evaded substitute goalkeeper Luke Simpson to sneak in off the far post.

Reading too much into a friendly is always dangerous, but here Athletic looked solid at the back — Zander Diamond impressed with his defensive work — competent in midfield thanks in no small part to the uncomplicated but effective work of the un-named holding midfielder operating as a trialist, and sharp up front thanks to Smith and the busy Reuben Reid.

While the squad as a whole seems very slight at present, there appear to be grounds for a cautious optimism ahead of the start of the league campaign in two weeks’ time — as long as key players stay fit.

Starting with what one would assume to be Dickov’s strongest line-up at present, the home team were on the front foot from the off.

It took only four minutes for Smith to strike the first blow, heading low past a helpless Matt Gilkes thanks to a searing cross from wide on the left by overlapping full-back Black.

A superbly-weighted ball from inside his own half by Filipe Morais set Reid in behind the Tangerines defence soon after, with only the legs of the alert Gilkes standing between the Athletic front man and a two-goal lead for his side.

Reid extended Gilkes again with a powerful drive and Black also forced the visiting ‘keeper into action with a fierce cross-shot.

Blackpool came closest in the first half through a free-kick from former Boundary Park full-back Neal Eardley, whose free-kick was hacked away by Diamond before Crainey swept a cross along the six-yard box which evaded everyone.

Matt Hill should have done better with his header from a Bob Harris free-kick after Blackpool manager Ian Holloway elected to change his entire team at half-time.

But it was Kieran Lee who almost extended Athletic’s lead, just failing to get a shot in thanks to a Craig Cathcart tackle, after a rampaging 40-yard run.

Blackpool enjoyed plenty of periods of possession, but rarely looked capable of breaking through Athletic’s solid back-line.

A forward foray from substitute Carl Winchester saw the right-back hacked down on the edge of the penalty area on 75 minutes, and Mellor blasted home the resultant free-kick to give Athletic a 2-0 lead.

And though Clarke gave the travelling Blackpool support some cheer with a neat finish following Paul Bignot’s run forward, Dickov’s men were deserving winners on the day.