[themaclad]

AFC Blackpool's bid to escape relegation had a major boost last night with a 3-1 victory over very near neighbours Squires Gate at Jepson Way, Blackpool last night, the result dragged the Gate back into a five club traffic jam at the bottom of the lague.
On a bobbly pitch with a wind blowing straight down the pitch it was no surprise that Gate playing with the wind started well, they had an early goal disallowed for pushing following a corner.
It took the home side a while to get into the game but on 28 minutes AFC took the lead, following an attack down the right hand side, the ball was fed to Thornber whose shot was deflected past the Gate goalkeeper into net. Vital lead, it also relaxed the home side who began to play with a bit more freedom instead of some hit and hope football.
Soon after the break they doubled their lead, from about 25 yards out to the right of the penalty area, Fleming curled a free kick over the wall, the keeper, the ball clipped the underside of the bar and into the net it went. Gate had a chance to reduce the arears but when well place the Gate player skied the ball over the bar.
If the second AFC goal was good the third was route 1, mammoth punt by keeper, defender and Gate keeper hesitated, Williams nipped in a prodded in number three. Game over, well almost AFC keeper produced a great save to deny a 25 yard effort that was going in before Gate pulled a goal back following pinball in the AFC area when Penswick nodded home.
Any football now went out the window as it was one touch stuff by both sides but although exerting pressure Gate could not score again and AFC took the points to complete the double over the side from across the road

AFC Blackpool 3 Squires Gate 1 Att 218

https://youtu.be/yRXs4J_Pxbs

Bottom of the table

18 Squires Gate 41 10 8 23 51 91 -40 38
19 Silsden 41 9 10 22 56 87 -31 37
20 AFC Darwen 40 10 7 23 76 110 -34 37
21 AFC Blackpool 40 9 9 22 61 97 -36 36
22 Alsager Town 40 10 5 25 50 97 -47 35