Preston North End vs Blackpool. Sky Bet Championship.
DeepdaleAttendance18,834.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston and Blackpool at Deepdale; Brad Potts opens the scoring against his former club before Ben Whiteman scores stunning free-kick; Tom Cannon nets third before late Jerry Yates consolation for visitors
Saturday 1 April 2023 16:19, UK
Preston claimed the West Lancashire bragging rights by cruising to a 3-1 victory over their relegation-threatened rivals Blackpool.
Brad Potts opened the scoring in just the 12th minute against his former club with a sweet strike that found the bottom corner before celebrating in front of the travelling fans who once adored him.
Blackpool, second bottom in the Championship, had hit a post when the scores were level but were soon two behind as Ben Whiteman caught out goalkeeper Chris Maxwell with a clever free-kick.
Tom Cannon made sure Preston would take the points with a cool finish that went in off the right post shortly after half-time although Blackpool pulled one back in the final minute through Jerry Yates' tap-in.
Blackpool were unfortunate not to take the lead in the 8th minute when Keshi Anderson's low shot from inside the box hit the left post. Potts quickly capitalised on that near miss, arrowing a fine drive into the bottom left corner.
Then the hosts doubled their lead in the 26th minute through Whiteman's 25-yard free-kick which out-foxed Maxwell, who appeared to be expecting the midfielder to deliver the ball into the area.
The Blackpool goalkeeper, though, tipped over Jordan Storey's header at a corner yet he could do nothing about Cannon's strike six minutes into the second half at the end of a Preston counter-attack, slotting the ball in off the right post.
Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy made three changes at the break and their second half performance was much-improved. Morgan Rogers and Andy Lyons both put good headed chances wide and Freddie Woodman made two fine saves from Josh Bowler and Ian Poveda.
Maxwell did have to deny Liam Delap when one-on-one but Blackpool finally netted the goal their second half performance deserved as Yates turned in Bowler's cross from close range.
Preston's Ryan Lowe:
"We deserved a clean sheet, but we've got the bragging rights for our fans, and our performance warranted that. I'm buzzing for the fans. As derbies go, it was frantic at times of course, but I'm delighted for the lads because they've shown loads of commitment and character.
"It was going to be crucial, whoever got the first goal, so for us to get it so early was great. After that, the lads carried out the game plan superbly. I didn't want any sloppiness to creep in, and I don't think it did until they scored right at the end maybe. We know it's so tough to stay in and around the chasing pack, but that's what we'll try and do."
Blackpool's Mick McCarthy:
"I believe we've got the fight and determination to survive, but it's whether we've got the quality. We've not taken our chances, we've conceded another three goals today, and we're not helping ourselves.
"We are under pressure we know that, and we're trying our very best to stay in the league. We'll be back in again on Monday, and back in the oven again. You've got to make sure the lads are ready to play at the level of the Championship and recognise that we've still got games coming thick and fast. We've got more proper scraps like this to come - that's the way the Championship is. I'm bitterly disappointed for everyone, that's for us and all the fans who turned up. They will have expected more."
Preston visit Queens Park Rangers on Friday April 7 at 3pm, live on the Sky Sports Football Red Button.
Blackpool host Cardiff in a huge relegation six-pointer on Good Friday.
