FLETCHER AND ENNIS DOUBLE ACT INFLICT PAIN AS NOLAN LEFT FLAT

By James Heneghan

NORTHAMPTON 0 BLACKPOOL 2

Fletcher 20, Ennis 61

NORTHAMPTON: Burge 6, Dyche 6, Magloire 6 (Mbete-Tabu 51, BLACKPOOL: Tyrer 7, Offiah 7, Casey 8, Baggott 8, Coulson 7 6), McGowan 7 (Eyoma 51, 7), Pinnock 6 (Guinness-Walker 60, (Husband 63, 6), Apter 7 (Hamilton 69, 6), Morgan 7, Evans 6), Perry 6, Taylor 6, Hoskins 6, McGeehan 6, Costellow 6, Roberts 7, Carey 7 (Bloxham 70, 6), Ennis 7 (Lawrence-Gabriel 80, 6), 6. Subs not used: Tzanev, Willis, Hondermarck, Wilson. Fletcher 8 (Onomah 81, 6). Subs not used: O’Donnell, Beesley.

Att: 6,714 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Scott Jackson 8/10

KEVIN Nolan made no excuses after admitting his Northampton side were deservedly beaten by Blackpool.

The Cobblers were four unbeaten going into the game, but struggled to get going at Sixfields as Ashley Fletcher’s header gave Blackpool a 20thminute lead, before Niall Ennis made the points safe with an excellent finish in the second half.

Nolan’s men remain 19th, six points above the bottom four with eight games to go.

“It was a tough afternoon,” said Nolan. “I’ve just said to the lads that we looked a bit flat and we didn’t seem ourselves. But you have to give credit to the opposition as well. They matched us and they did the right things at the right times.

“There are no excuses. It is what it is. They’re a good side and they’ve proven that – to lose two games in 17 in this league is a great effort. You’re going to have these days, but that’s when you need to roll your sleeves up and stay in the game.”

Blackpool were the more dangerous throughout the first half and they had the game’s first chance via Sonny Carey, who found space in the box, but dragged into the side-netting. The visitors moved into a deserved lead after 20 minutes when Rob Apter beat his man on the right and delivered an excellent cross for Fletcher to nod home.

Sam Hoskins and Tyler Roberts were off target with long-range shots, but Northampton struggled to create anything meaningful before the break.

Aaron McGowan and TJ Eyoma cleared off the line from Ennis and Fletcher at the start of the second 45, but it only delayed the inevitable.

A mix-up in defence just past the hour allowed Ennis to race through and he finished confidently in off a post, and that was as good as game over.

Seasiders boss Steve Bruce said: “Northampton are always going to ask you questions because they’re fighting for their lives and they’ve had some good results of late. “But, without playing that well, I thought we did enough to win. We never really looked in any real danger and I have to say I thought the back four and goalkeeper were immaculate

“Not many teams play two up front, but Niall and Ashley are a handful at the moment because they’re both confident.

“I enjoy some of the stuff we play and we’re a handful for any team when we play well so long may it continue.”