Bristol City leave Blackpool in relegation mire with routine home win

Posted Saturday, March 11, 2023 by PA

Second-half goals from Andreas Weimann and Alex Scott saw Bristol City increase Blackpool’s relegation fears with a 2-0 Championship win at Ashton Gate.

The home side went in front on 58 minutes when Weimann accepted an Andy King pass 20 yards out and found the top corner with a brilliant left-footed strike.

Scott doubled the advantage on 81 minutes, firing low past Chris Maxwell from 12 yards after a cross from substitute Harry Cornick had been cleared into his path.

The Robins were good value for the points, having dominated possession for long periods. Blackpool defended doggedly, but could have no complaints.

City manager Nigel Pearson made two changes, bringing in Weimann and Anis Mehmeti for Sam Bell and the injured Matty James, while Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy named Gary Madine in his starting line-up, with Kenny Dougall dropping to the bench.

Madine’s contribution was short lived. He was injured committing a first-minute foul on Cameron Pring and, although he tried to continue, Morgan Rogers was introduced as a sixth-minute substitute.

Weimann volleyed over from a Mark Sykes cross as City dominated the early exchanges. The same two players were involved on 21 minutes when Weimann teed up Sykes, who cleared the crossbar with his effort from the edge of the box.

Blackpool were being penned back but defended their penalty area well, throwing bodies in the way of crosses from dangerous positions.

Weimann was looking lively and had a 30th-minute shot blocked in a crowded box. Scott was next to try his luck, but again saw his effort beaten away by a defender.

After all City’s pressure, it was Blackpool who should have taken a 34th-minute lead. A lapse in concentration from Zak Vyner allowed Jerry Yates to break clear down the middle, but he somehow contrived to drag his shot wide.

Mehmeti was next to have a shot blocked as City continued to pour forward. But frustration was starting to show on the pitch and in the stands as half time arrived with nothing to show for their efforts.

Blackpool’s Josh Bowler fired over as the visitors looked to start the second half on the front foot. Rogers then tested City goalkeeper Max O’Leary with a well-struck drive.

Weimann’s superb goal came with the visitors enjoying their best spell of the game. It restored his team’s belief and Mehmeti was just too high with a 71st-minute drive.

Blackpool were offering more threat than in the first half and Rogers forced a save from O’Leary with a low shot.

But Scott’s goal erased any doubts about the result and was just reward for the number of crosses City had put in over the course of the game.

Defeat left Blackpool six points adrift of safety ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick-offs.