Substitute Benony Andresson's brace helped promotion-chasing Stockport County come from behind to beat Blackpool 2-1 at Edgeley Park on Saturday. Although Ashley Fletcher put the Seasiders ahead early, Andresson equalized after the break and scored the decisive winner late on.
The match began brightly for Blackpool, with Fletcher lifting the ball over County goalkeeper Corey Addai just seven minutes in, following Albie Morgan's clever pass. Fletcher nearly doubled the lead shortly afterward with another opportunity, but his deft touch from Morgan's cross rebounded off the post, keeping the score at 1-0.
Stockport responded aggressively, with Lewis Bate forcing Blackpool keeper Harry Tyrer to parry away his effort. Before halftime, Tyrer showcased his skills again, expertly tipping over Isaac Olaofe's dipping shot, preserving Blackpool's slim advantage as the teams went to the break.
Just two minutes after the restart, Stockport equalized. Olaofe found substitute Andresson, who slotted the ball past Tyrer, igniting hopes for the home fans. The County faithful were cheered on as their team began to assert more pressure on Blackpool's defense.
Immediately after Stockport's equalizer, Blackpool had chances to reclaim the lead, with Niall Ennis's close-range attempt being kept out by Addai. Ennis had another opportunity as he found himself almost unmarked for a header, but again, Addai stood firm, keeping the score level.
Then, in the 81st minute, Andresson struck again, this time with his head. After receiving a well-placed cross from fellow substitute Callum Camps, he directed the ball home, securing the win for Stockport County.
The performance from Stockport after the break was commendable, showcasing their resilience and tactical adjustments made by manager Dave Challinor. Despite being initially outplayed, the Hatters managed to turn the game around by capitalizing on their chances as they dominated the second half.
Blackpool's boss, Steve Bruce, expressed disappointment with the outcome, emphasizing his team's failure to leverage early dominance. Bruce noted, “To be fair to Stockport, I’ve seen them do what they’ve done today, where they’re up against it but they’ve done the basics and they’ve dug in. All the things we wanted to guard against, we haven’t done well enough.” His assessment reflected the mixed feelings around Blackpool's missed opportunities, especially after their promising start.
Bruce lamented the defensive errors, particularly leading to the goals scored by Stockport. “We’ve gifted them a goal. That’s the disappointing thing; too many times we’ve done like this. We had to go 15 minutes after the match to see it through, but we’ve gifted them the equalizer.” He clearly identified the need for improvement, hinting at tactical decisions as the match unfolded.
Despite the loss, Blackpool will look to bounce back quickly with another match scheduled soon, as Bruce stated, “We have to go again on Tuesday now, the games are thick and fast. We have to recover as best we can.” The challenge of trying to close the gap between them and the playoff positions remains at the forefront of his focus.
Looking forward, Stockport County will aim to build on this victory as they continue their push for promotion, demonstrating both depth on their bench and the ability to adapt under pressure. With the next fixture slated against promotion rivals Charlton Athletic on March 8, the team will be eager to capitalize on this momentum.
This thrilling clash at Edgeley Park highlighted the unpredictability of football and the importance of seizing opportunities as they arise. Fans can look forward to continued excitement as both teams navigate the competitive fixture calendar.