Exeter City fell to a 3-1 defeat to Blackpool at St James Park in EFL Sky Bet League One.
A first-half blitz saw the Grecians 3-0 down at the break after the Seasiders scored all three goals in a 13-minute spell. CJ Hamilton opened the scoring before Tom Bloxham and Ashley Fletcher gave the Grecians a mountain to climb at half-time. An improved second-half performance was rewarded with a goal from Millenic Alli, but City were unable to mount a comeback.
Manager Gary Caldwell made five changes to the side that drew 1-1 away at Peterborough United on Tuesday night. Pat Jones was handed his first start since joining City in the summer. Kevin McDonald came back into the team alongside Jack McMillan, Jake Richards, and Demetri Mitchell.
First Half
After a pair of matches on the road, City returned to home comforts, kicking towards the St James Road end.
The visitors were quick out of the traps, forcing an early corner off Kevin McDonald in the first minute. The ball was swung into the box and headed just wide.
A high-tempo opening saw Pat Jones steal the ball inside the Blackpool area. He cut inside and shot from distance, but it was always heading over.
Some slick passing between Joel Colwill and Jake Richards allowed Richards to jink away from his defender. His quick feet allowed him to create space for a shot, which took a deflection off a Blackpool defender.
Blackpool had a golden chance to take the lead after seven minutes. Tom Bloxham cut inside and sent a shot towards goal which struck the outside of the post – a let-off for the Grecians.
The Seasiders caused City problems down their left and really should have taken the lead when CJ Hamilton found space to drill a low cross into the box, which Ashley Fletcher was a whisker away from connecting with. Moments later, Jack Fitzwater showed great recovery as Tom Bloxham drove into the area. Jack was quick to get a block in to deal with the danger.
With 20 minutes on the clock, Demi Mitchell played in Josh Magennis, who took a touch and fired a low shot towards goal, which was well saved by the feet of Tyrer in the Blackpool goal.
The visitors took the lead after 33 minutes with a quick counter. City gave the ball away, and Jack McMillan tried to hold off Odel Offiah, but he managed to slide the ball through to CJ Hamilton, who drove forward into the box before sending the ball past Whitworth.
City were forced into an early change as Jack Fitzwater went down with a knock after 36 minutes and was unable to continue. Ryan Woods replaced Jack, with City already depleted in the centre-back department, and Jack McMillan shifted into defence.
Blackpool doubled their lead after 43 minutes with another quick counter. The ball was played over the top to Tom Bloxham, who beat Kevin McDonald in a footrace before cutting into the box and past Whitworth. With the goal at his mercy, all he had to do was fire home to make it 2-0.
Two minutes later, City imploded as the visitors grabbed a third in very similar scenes to the second. The ball was played down the right, and Bloxham’s run beat the defence. He squared it for Fletcher to tap in at the far post to make it 3-0 at the break.
Second Half
Gary Caldwell made two changes at the break as Ilmari Niskanen and Cheick Diabate replaced Kevin McDonald and Pat Jones.
With City pushing to get back into the match, they were almost caught out at the back early on, with a ball being crossed in for Ashley Fletcher, who thankfully missed his kick and City cleared the danger.
At the other end, Demetri Mitchell looked like City’s best threat to get one back, driving towards the Seasiders’ defence before sending in a delicious ball which just evaded Josh Magennis.
Demetri again showed that spark that City needed as he drove into the box before firing a powerful shot at the angle, which hit the side netting.
City made a double change after 64 minutes. Tony Yogane made his City debut after joining in the week, replacing Jake Richards, and Jack Aitchison replaced Joel Colwill.
Tony Yogane made an instant impact. Looking to take on his defender, he found space and crossed for Alli, but his shot hit the post and the danger was cleared.
After 75 minutes, a shot from distance by Oliver Casey stung the palms of Joe Whitworth, who made a decent save.
City’s constant pushing was rewarded after 81 minutes as Jack Aitchison slid Millenic Alli in. He took a touch and fired home from the angle to reduce the deficit.
Two minutes later, City had strong calls for a penalty waved away by the referee. Tony Yogane drove towards the Seasiders’ box and looked to have been hauled to the ground, but nothing was given, much to the outrage of those in red and white.
City kept pushing, but ultimately the damage was done in the first half, and the Seasiders made the long trip home with the three points.
City are next in action at SJP on Tuesday night as they host Leyton Orient in a 7:45 pm kick-off. [Click here for tickets.]
Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Fitzwater (Woods ’39), McDonald (Diabate ’45), Francis, Mitchell, Richards (Yogane ’64), Jones (Niskanen ’45), Colwill (Aitchison ’64), Alli, Magennis (c)
Substitutes not used: MacDonald, Bird.
Yellow card: Niskanen (83)
Goal: Alli '81
Blackpool: Tyer, Husband (c), Morgan, Carey, Fletcher (Onomah ’69), Baggott, Bloxham, Casey, Hamilton, Offiah, Apter (Silvera ’69).
Substitutes not used: O’Donnell, Gabriel, Coulson, Beesley.
Goal: Hamilton ’33, Bloxham ’43, Fletcher ‘46
Yellow card: Carey 112)
Attendance: 6,325 (342 away)