Wanderers U18s 2 Blackpool U18s 1

(after extra time)

CAMERON Moore struck a priceless extra-time winner for Wanderers to book their place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup at Blackpool’s expense.

The pacy striker, who has been been in the club’s ranks from the age of eight, pounced in the 110th minute as penalties seemed a certainty.

Nicky Spooner’s side had dominated the first half but fell away in the latter stages and were indebted to England youth goalkeeper Jake Turner for keeping them in the tie.

Denzel Williams headed an equaliser with 18 minutes left on the clock but the young Whites dug in to ensure they continue in the competition – avenging last year’s early exit to Exeter City.

Setting up in a very similar style to the first team, Wanderers had an equally solid look about them in the first half with centre-back pairing Harry Brockbank and Tom Grivosti doing a particularly good impression of David Wheater and Mark Beevers.

Blackpool had their fair share of possession but there was an air of calm at the back for the Whites, helped, no doubt, by the hulking presence of England youth international goalkeeper Jake Turner.

In attack, Wanderers were quite content to let their pacy forwards do their bidding. Alex Samizadeh – one of three players in the side with first team experience this season – was a constant menace hanging on the shoulder of Blackpool defender Williams.

Though the Iran-born striker remains a work in progress in some areas of the pitch, his single-mindedness around the penalty box does suggest a player with a big future at Wanderers. And it was his dogged determination which led to the opening goal.

A long ball over the top caught Williams napping and allowed Samizadeh to get goal-side. At first it seemed the Pool centre-back had conceded a penalty but with referee Michael Crusham waving his arms frantically to signal play on, the Wanderers striker simply got up and slammed the ball into the net past Jack Sims.

With 10 minutes to go in the half Samizadeh got the wrong side of the Blackpool defence again, running on to a well-timed pass from Shakeel Jones-Griffiths, he was denied a second by a good block from Sims.

The visitors passed and probed around the penalty box and swung a few dangerous-looking crosses into the box. Turner remained untested but for a timely punch at his near post to clear a cross from Finlay Sinclair-Smith.

In the final few minutes defender Brockbank ran 60 yards before curling a shot just wide of the post.

Urged on by the roars of Spooner and Gavin McCann on the bench to “press” Wanderers were happy to continue with the same game-plan after the restart.

Ciaran Donnelly’s young Blackpool side have fared well in the league this season and have pushed the likes of Liverpool and Birmingham close in the last few years in this competition.

Their confidence began to grow and Wanderers were indebted to a superb block from Grivosti at close range to deny Rowan Roache, followed up by another smart stop by Turner after Christian N’Guessan tried his luck from the edge of the box.

The Whites started to get loose in possession around their own penalty box, inviting more pressure than Spooner would have liked. Turner made one fine save from sub Ralph Chea but seconds later he was beaten by a powerful header from Williams to make the game all-square.

With extra time looming, Wanderers looked like they had got their act together again. Jack Earing ran on to Dennis Politic’s flick and brought an outstanding save from keeper Sims and Grivosti was unlucky with a header from Cole Lonsdale’s deep free kick.

Back came Blackpool, Roache and Chea both putting shots off target from close range.

Deep into injury time, Turner produced a stunning save to deny another sub, Will Dunne, from close range. At that point, Spooner’s side were desperate for full time to arrive.

Wanderers continued to look jaded as the clocked ticked on, Samizadeh now a token figure up front with little support. It was little surprise when he was replaced by Luca Navarro.

Blackpool’s best chance to settle the game fell to full-back Benjamin Agyeman-Badu, who drilled a low shot just past Turner’s right-hand post in the first half of extra time.

Out of nowhere, with 10 minutes left, all three Wanderers subs combined to restore the lead. Navarro played in Politic, whose shot cannoned off the post before being tucked in by Cameron Moore.

It nearly became even more comfortable for the Whites as Navarro rattled the post with a great effort in the dying seconds.