Blackpool score four second-half goals to punish 10-man Burton

Posted Wednesday, August 14, 2024 by PA

Blackpool scored four second-half goals to reach the Carabao Cup second round with a resounding 4-0 win over 10-man Burton at the Pirelli Stadium.

Albion had to play almost 80 minutes with 10 men after Ryan Sweeney saw red for blocking Ashley Fletcher’s goalbound effort on the line with his hand. Fletcher, though, failed to capitalise, seeing his penalty saved by Max Crocombe in the Burton goal.

Fletcher was guilty of another chance going begging at the start of the second half, sliding in to divert Ollie Norburn’s free kick the wrong side of the post.

Rob Apter passed up a good chance again, missing the target from beyond the far post as the Seasiders looked to make their numerical advantage count.

Substitute Ryan Finnigan was the man to break the deadlock, meeting Zac Ashworth’s low cross with an assured finish into the corner of the net.

Blackpool doubled their lead on 76 minutes, Matthew Pennington poking home from close range after Burton failed to clear a corner and the big defender was in the right place again five minutes later to steer home a header from Apter’s corner.

Substitute Lee Evans completed the scoring in the 90th minute with a well-placed drive as the Seasiders made their extra man count in the final quarter of the game.