UNOFFICIAL FORUM FOR THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Blackpool began Tuesday’s friendly against League Two side Crewe Alexandra with three trialists on show, but it was the home side who started strongest against their Premier League opponents, carving out numerous early opportunities.

Gresty Road finally erupted after 34 minutes when Shaun Miller slotted the ball past Matthew Gilks following a neatly taken free-kick by Ashley Westwood, giving Crewe a deserved 1-0 lead.

In a game largely dominated by Crewe, Blackpool had to wait until the 40 minute mark before threatening when club-captain Charlie Adam clipped the crossbar following a long range effort.

Early into the second half, Blackpool right-back Neal Eardley was replaced by Ishmel Demontagnac following an injury to the 21-year-old Wales international, one of many substitutions that disrupted what little shape the game had already achieved.

Blackpool youngster Tom Barkhuizan threatened the Crewe goal on a couple of occasions before the game drew to a close, ending Blackpool’s undefeated pre-season record.

Blackpool: Gilks; Husband (Southern), Edwards, Baptiste (Eastham), Crainey (Evatt); Trialist A, Eardley (Demontagnac), Adam (Euell), Trialist B (Ormerod); Taylor-Fletcher (Vaughan), Trialist C (Barkhuizan).