Blackpool 2 Exeter City 1 - Grecians suffer stoppage-time defeat

BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Blackpool's CJ Hamilton celebrates scoring the opening goal  during the Sky Bet League One match between Blackpool FC and Exeter City FC at  on September 14, 2024 in Blackpool, England. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)


Exeter City suffered a late defeat away to Blackpool as a stoppage-time goal gave the hosts all three points. It had looked like the Grecians had snatched a dramatic late point after a stunning Ed Francis free-kick, only to concede in the 95th minute.

The Grecians struggled in the first half at a ground where they have a woeful recent record and it was no surprise when Blackpool took an early lead. A long throw wasn’t dealt with and CJ Hamilton pounced to fire the Tangerines ahead.

City were perhaps lucky to only be 1-0 down at half-time. The Grecians were better after the break, and arguably were the better team, but failed to create much of any real note until the dying stages when Francis curled home a stunning free-kick to snatch a point.

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Or so it seemed, but in the last of five added-on minutes, City couldn’t withstand a barrage of corners and from a fourth in a row, James Husband poked home a winner. It is now nine defeats and two draws for City at Bloomfield Road, with Francis’ strike remarkably only the second goal Exeter have ever scored away to Blackpool. Exeter dropped down to 16th in the League One table, while Blackpool rose to 19th after their first win of the season.

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell named an unchanged eleven – an indeed – an unchanged squad from the side which won 2-0 away at Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago. Amani Richards and Sonny Cox were among those on the bench despite getting game time for the U21s in the Premier League Cup. Steve Bruce was in charge of Blackpool for the first time, and handed two players debuts.

The hosts had the first chance after a defensive error by Johnly Yfeko. But the Rangers loanee atoned for his mistake and made an important block to deny Kyle Joseph. CJ Hamilton then saw a short deflected wide as the Tangerines were on top.

And that dominance paid off with 19 minutes on the clock as they took the lead. A long throw was launched into the box, the City defense stood like statues and allowed the ball to bounce. It broke to Hamilton, and he lashed it now through several Grecians legs to make it 1-0 and for his first goal of the season.

-Credit:Jake Manuell/PPAUK
-Credit:Jake Manuell/PPAUK

It soon should have been two. A long ball over the top allowed Dom Ballard to break through one-on-one, but Joe Whitworth produced a brilliant save to deny the striker. Joseph then fired just wide as City were under the cosh and under pressure and took more than half an hour to create anything – but even that was a half chance at best when Millenic Alli couldn’t pick out a man with a cross.

But that did spark something in the Grecians. Ilmari Niskanen and Jack Aitchison then combined to set up Kamari Doyle, but his effort was easily saved. But it was a first effort at least. Soon after Aitchison headed wide.

Ballard missed a golden chance to double the lead, but again the Crystal Palace loanee was equal to the task and kept it out. Caldwell’s men defensively were living dangerously for sure and probably should have been further behind than just one at the break.

Neither manager made a change at the break, but Blackpool continued where they left off creating the better of the chances and Tristan Crama had to make a vital interception to keep out Joseph before Yfeko outmuscled Ballard when he was slipped in.

City were still struggling to threaten anything and just after the hour, Caldwell made a triple change, Doyle, Josh Magennis and Millenic Alli were replaced by Cox, Richards and Reece Cole. Soon after Crama came close from a corner but his header drifted just wide of the post, before Niskanen blazed just over the bar.

-Credit:Jake Manuell/PPAUK
-Credit:Jake Manuell/PPAUK

The changes had sparked some life into the Grecians who were pushing and probing for a leveller. Francis then replaced Pierce Sweeney as City were going for it, with Cole forcing Harry Tyrer into a good diving save.

And in the 88th minute, City got an equaliser which they had deserved. Crama had been brought down on the edge of the box. Up stepped Francis, who whipped the free-kick into the back of the net from the tightest of angles to send the away fans wild.

Five minutes of stoppage-time were added-on and in the first of them, Bruce’s men nearly won it. Jordan Rhodes was brilliantly denied firstly by Whitworth, and then by Yfeko clearing one off the line. Whitworth then pushed a corner onto the crossbar as there was a late onslaught.

And after a series of corners, the goal finally came. The fourth corner in a row was swung in, Oliver Norburn flicked it on, and Husband poked home the winner.

Exeter City are back in action next Saturday when they host Stevenage.

Exeter City (4-2-2-2): Joe Whitworth, Ilmari Niskanen, Pierce Sweeney (Ed Francis, 77), Tristan Crama, Johnly Yfeko, Jack McMillan, Ryan Woods, Kamari Doyle (Reece Cole, 65), Jack Aitchison, Millenic Alli (Amani Richards, 65), Josh Magennis (Sonny Cox, 65)

Subs: Shaun MacDonald, Jack Fitzwater, Ben Purrington,

Booking: Woods, Niskanen, Crama, Aitchison