Blackpool (p) 0-0 Barrow: Seasiders pick up bonus point after playing out bore draw in opening EFL Trophy group game

Blackpool played out a dull goalless draw with Barrow in their opening EFL Trophy group game.

The Seasiders gained a bonus point after coming out on top in a penalty shootout, West Ham loanee Dan Kemp scoring the decisive spot kick as they edged the spot kicks 5-3.

The 90 minutes was largely a lifeless affair, although Blackpool did create and waste a host of chances in the first half having originally made a slow start.

The second period, however, was low on action and, more importantly, low on quality too, with David Dunn’s side keeping the Seasiders at bay with comfortable ease.

Neil Critchley made six changes to the side that performed so well in the goalless draw at Stoke City in the Carabao Cup a fortnight ago.

Chris Maxwell, James Husband, Michael Nottingham, Ethan Robson and Grant Ward were the five to keep their places.

Meanwhile, debuts were handed to Teddy Howe, MJ Williams, Dan Kemp and Bez Lubala.

James Husband was originally down to start but, after taking a knock during the warm-up, Nathan Shaw took his place at left-back instead.

Ex-Blackpool coach David Dunn, meanwhile, made eight changes to his Barrow side that lost on penalties to Derby County on Saturday.

The first opening of the game came the way of the Cumbrians as Jordan Thorniley was caught out for pace after former Seasider Scott Quigley beat Michael Nottingham to a flick-on.

With Luke James running clear through on goal, the Seasiders were reliant on Thorniley recovering in time to deflect the forward’s effort behind.

Barrow continued to cause problems for Pool’s shaky defence, as Howe was called upon to nip ahead of Quigley just as the striker was preparing to shoot after getting in behind the backline.

After a lacklustre start, Blackpool threatened for the first time on 20 minutes when they came close to breaking the deadlock.

Barrow failed to fully clear Howe’s dangerous cross with the weak clearance falling kindly for Robson, whose first-time effort within the six-yard box was well saved by keeper Joel Dixon.

Grant Ward then let fly with a powerful effort from the edge of the box which had Dixon scurrying across his own goal, only for a block to deflect it away to safety.

The Seasiders continued to up the tempo at a pace Barrow struggled to deal with, as Gary Madine - in need of a strong game - came close to reaching Ward’s vicious cross in from the right.

Robson’s weak-looking 30-yard free-kick almost produced the first goal of the night as it took a weak deflection to wrongfoot the keeper, who eventually got back across his goal to tip wide.

Lubala headed over from the resulting corner before Ward rifled a thundering effort just wide of the upright a few moments later.

The hosts continued to dominate but Barrow defended well, getting in a number of blocks as Ward was denied once again five minutes before the interval after Lubala had beaten two men by the touchline.

Barrow did have the ball in the back of the net on 43 minutes as Quigley slid the ball through Chris Maxwell’s legs, only to see the linesman’s flag raised for offside.

A ricochet fell at the feet of Madine in the Barrow box at the start of the second half but the striker delayed and took too long, his eventual effort being deflected behind for a corner.

Pool were again frustrated by Barrow keeper Dixon, who saved well from Lubala who had driven a low effort towards goal from the edge of the box.

With the game remaining goalless, Critchley opted to bring Keshi Anderson on with 20 minutes to go in place of Robson, potentially with one mind on Saturday’s league curtain raiser against Plymouth Argyle.

In what was an uneventful second half, Pool finally began to come to life in the final 10 minutes as the outstretched Lubala poked behind from Howe’s teasing cross.

With one eye on the penalty shootout, Critchley made a late change as he introduced Jerry Yates for the tiring Madine.

Yates did indeed score from the spot, as did Bez Lubala, Keshi Anderson, Grant Ward and West Ham loanee Dan Kemp, who scored the fifth and decisive goal to claim the bonus point thanks to a 5-3 win on penalties.

TEAMS

Blackpool: Maxwell, Howe, Nottingham, Thorniley, Shaw, Robson (Anderson), Williams, Ward, Kemp, Lubala, Madine (Yates)

Subs not used: Sims, Turton, Ekpiteta, Hamilton

Barrow: Dixon, J Jones (Beadling), Hird, Wilson, Nlthe (Brown), Taylor, Gribbin, Penfold, Biggins, James, Quigley

Subs not used: M Jones, Hardcastle, Angus, Hindle

Referee: Conor Brown