County fell to a 2-1 defeat in the Youth Alliance North West Division on Saturday at the hands of Blackpool.
After initially falling two behind early in the second half, Kylan Depeiaza pulled one back for County with 25 minutes remaining.
The young Hatters could have taken the lead early in the game as Depeiaza was released down the right. His low cross into the box narrowly evaded the onrushing Lee Williams, who could not make a clean connection with the ball from close range.
A quick exchange from the visitors opened up the County backline. Cian O’Shea made himself big to narrow the angle, and the striker put the effort comfortably wide of the target.
Blackpool began to grow into the game. Another defence-splitting pass opened up space for a strike at goal, but the shot from a tight angle hit the side netting.
A loose back-pass by County sold O’Shea short and presented a great chance for the visitors. The striker took the ball around the goalkeeper, but made the angle too narrow and fired wildly over the bar.
HALF-TIME: County 0-0 Blackpool
Blackpool started the half as they finished the last, but this time found the breakthrough. A surging run through the midfield opened up space for a shot. O’Shea made a fantastic initial save, but couldn’t keep the rebound out of the net.
The visitors doubled their lead moments later. Patient play found an orange shirt inside of the County box, taking a touch and thumping the ball into the roof of the net.
Excellent passing play between Luke Partington and Che Gardner set Depeiaza away down the right. His cross was a fraction too high, but Christian Mulindwa latched onto the loose ball and forced a save from the goalkeeper.
A long ball by Callum Scruton was misjudged by the Blackpool defence and allowed Depeiaza through on goal. The forward composed himself and lifted the bouncing ball over the oncoming goalkeeper, halving the deficit.
FULL-TIME: County 1-2 Blackpool
County XI: O’Shea; Lewis, Martinsen, Davis, Kenny, Redshaw; Barry, Mulindwa, Atkinson; Williams, Depeiaza
