Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall powerless to stop Blackpool from being knocked out of #UltimateQuaranTeam FIFA 20 tournament
and live on Freeview channel 276
The on-loan Leicester City star took control of the Seasiders as they encountered their first taste of E-sports.
Over 7,000 people tuned in to watch the stream as Blackpool went down to a 3-1 defeat to League Two side Stevenage, who were led by supporter Patrick Moran.
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Hide AdDewsbury-Hall spoke of his nerves as he prepared to get underway, but singled out the Pool fans for praise as they signed up in their droves to watch.
“Great away support lads,” he joked, before the game got underway with a frustrating kit clash making viewing particularly difficult.
Unfortunately the Seasiders got off to the worst start possible, conceding after just eight minutes as Danny Newton scored from close range.
Pool produced an instant response and it was that man Dewsbury-Hall who got the goal, the midfielder slamming home into the bottom corner.
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Hide AdThe turnaround was almost complete on 19 minutes when Dewsbury-Hall’s midfield partner Connor Ronan was denied by a sprawling save by the goalkeeper after being played through by ex-Stevenage man Armand Gnanduillet.
Unfortunately it was the visitors who took the initiative from this point onwards, Stevenage dominating play with their slow and methodical build-up play.
Elliott List restored Stevenage’s lead just before the break as he took advantage of some lax defending, Dewsbury-Hall picking out James Husband in particular.
Pool almost found themselves falling 3-1 down on the stroke of half-time as Dewsbury-Hall bemoaned Stevenage’s “slow” and “boring” style of play.
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Hide Ad“That wasn’t good enough,” he said. “I only played well in patches.”
Despite making some tactical changes at the break Dewsbury-Hall was unable to stop the Seasiders from tasting defeat.
Stevenage made sure of their win 12 minutes from time when Dan Kemp beat Chris Maxwell to make it 3-1, which is how the game ended.
“That might be it, boys,” Dewsbury-Hall remarked after the third goal. “His style is effective but boring” he added as he brought on Joe Nuttall in a last-ditch attempt to get back into the game.
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Hide AdDewsbury-Hall admitted he was beaten by the better man at the final whistle, commenting: “fair play, he was decent to be fair”.
He added: “That didn’t last long, did it? I wanted to win at least one!”
Football clubs from around the world, including Man City, Roma and Ajax, have signed up to take part in the virtual FIFA 20 tournament.
The brainchild of League Two side Leyton Orient, the competition, which involves 128 teams in total, is hoping to help fill the void during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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Hide AdBoth sides were altered to an 85 overall rating to provide a level playing-field, while the game constituted of two six-minute halves.
Fans were encouraged to get involved and were able to watch the game via a stream.
Supporters are also being asked to join in with a fundraising campaign that could make a huge difference to the footballing and real world.
Leyton Orient have set up a JustGiving page which is raising money for EFL clubs across the country struggling financially due to a loss of income.
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Hide AdA portion of the funds raised will also be split between EFL partner charity MIND and the COVID-19 Fundraiser by WHO.
Over £50,000 has already been raised.
For more information on #UltimateQuaranTeam, click here.
TEAMS
Blackpool: Maxwell, Howe, Moore, Husband, Bola, Feeney, Spearing, Dewsbury-Hall, Ronan, Kaikai, Gnanduillet
Subs: Sims, Heneghan, Virtue, Ward, Delfouneso, Nuttall, Madine
Stevenage: Bastien, Cuthbert, Cowley, Kennedy, Parrett, Newton, Dabo, Nugent, List, Leesley, Jackson
Subs: Farman, Carter, Byrom, Vancooten, Taylor, Denton, Mackail-Smith