Seasiders battle for point at Liberty

24 October 2009 17:03
Paulo Sousa's side have been resurgent after a slow start to the season and they dominated against in-form Blackpool but were unable to break the deadlock. The Tangerines have been a surprise package in the Championship so far this term and although they were not at their best, they held on for a point. Mark Gower was a constant threat to the Blackpool defence, but was guilty of several missed opportunities on a frustrating afternoon for the Swans. The home side started brightly and Darren Pratley had a great chance to put them in front in the second minute, but the midfielder's attempted lob was easily saved by Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks. Ian Holloway's side started to find their feet and almost took the lead 13 minutes in, when Alex Baptiste headed narrowly over the crossbar. The Tangerines were enjoying more possession than the home side, but Swansea looked the more likely side to take the lead and Craig Beattie's strike from just outside the area was narrowly wide. In-form striker Beattie had another opportunity to put the Swans in front but Gilks pulled off a good save to keep out the former Celtic man's right-footed drive. Sousa's side had another chance to edge in front when Gower's cross found Thomas Butler, but his header was off target after 27 minutes. The visitors remained on the back foot and Gower's inswinging corner was headed over the bar by central defender Ashley Williams from six yards out. Blackpool winger Hameur Bouazza should have done better at the other end, dragging a shot from the edge of the area tamely wide of the target. Swansea came flying out of the traps after the break and another dangerous corner from Gower was headed over by Alan Tate. Gilks was called into action once again to parry a venomous left-footed drive from the impressive Gower. The Blackpool defence were coming under severe pressure and yet another Gower corner was headed wide by Williams after 55 minutes. Beattie was wasteful once again four minutes later when he flashed a shot over the bar from the edge of the area. Gower was at the centre of most of Swansea's attacks and the former Southend midfielder found space just outside the area but fired over the bar. In a rare Blackpool attack striker Billy Clarke forced Dorus De Vries into a sharp save with a left-footed drive. Gower continued to pull the strings for the Welsh side and he cut inside and fired a strike narrowly wide of Gilks' goal 15 minutes from time. Substitute Lee Trundle almost won it seven minutes from time but Gilks produced a fine reflex save to deny him from close range.

Source: Team_Talk