Source: Team_Talk
Robins rock Seasiders at Ashton Gate
Ian Holloway has always struggled for friends at Ashton Gate due to his Bristol Rovers past - he played for and managed the Robins' bitter rivals - and this was a miserable night for the Seasiders boss.[LNB]Maynard's spectacular overhead kick opened the scoring in the 28th minute and Haynes made the points safe in the 57th minute with a fine left-footed strike from 20 yards.[LNB]Blackpool had arrived at Ashton Gate in the midst of a rich run of form and Saturday's 2-0 home win over Peterborough lifted them into the play-off places.[LNB]Holloway's reputation was badly in need of repair after he presided over Leicester's relegation in May 2008 and was subsequently shown the door at the Walkers Stadium.[LNB]A year out of the game seems to have recharged his batteries and Blackpool are reaping the benefits after an outstanding start to the season.[LNB]Their recent form enhanced the Seasiders' play-off credentials and made a further mockery of the pundits who tipped them for relegation at the start of the season.[LNB]Yet they came under the cosh from the start against the Robins and Bradley Orr soon saw his shot blocked by Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam.[LNB]In the fourth minute, City threatened again when Cole Skuse fired a fierce left-footed shot goalwards which drew a smart stop from Paul Rachubka.[LNB]Gary Johnson's men continued to probe and Evander Sno hit a teasing shot which flashed just wide of Rachubka's far post.[LNB]With 14 minutes played, Marvin Elliott powered a header goalwards and Rachubka again had to be alert to palm the ball to safety.[LNB]The onslaught continued moments later when Alvaro Saborio thrashed a right-footed shot over the bar from just six yards out.[LNB]Holloway's men were lucky again midway through the first half when Maynard failed to hit the target from six yards and then Lee Johnson was similarly wayward from 12 yards.[LNB]Blackpool did not threaten until the 25th minute when Ben Burgess headed wide from 12 yards.[LNB]But three minutes later they fell behind when Maynard produced a brilliant overhead kick from 12 yards which flew into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the season.[LNB]Blackpool's initial response was impressive as Burgess headed goalwards only for Robins goalkeeper Adriano Basso to make a fine parried save.[LNB]Blackpool defender Rob Edwards then headed wide and at half-time City boss Johnson replaced Saborio with Haynes.[LNB]He was clearly eager to make his mark and in the 51st minute he went close with a fine strike from 25 yards which flew just wide.[LNB]However, he was on target in the 57th minute when he collected a pass from Maynard and drove a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.[LNB]Elliott almost added a third in the 61st minute when he fired goalwards and Rachubka made another excellent save.[LNB]Haynes then fired wide and Sno also went close while a long-range effort from substitute Billy Clarke was the closest Blackpool came to finding the net, despite a triple substitution on the hour.[LNB][LNB]
