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Last Updated: Sunday, 27 May 2007, 15:51 GMT 16:51 UK
Yeovil 0-2 Blackpool
By Ian Hughes

Blackpool celebrate Robbie Williams' opening goal
Blackpool celebrate Robbie Williams' opening goal
Robbie Williams and Keigan Parker scored the goals that promoted Blackpool to the Championship after a Wembley play-off final win over Yeovil.

Williams opened the scoring when he curled a free-kick round the wall and beyond Steve Mildenhall on 43 minutes.

And seven minutes into the second half, Parker curled in superbly from outside the area to double Blackpool's lead.

Mildenhall saved well from Parker and Andy Morrell as Blackpool dominated to set a club record 10 consecutive wins.

The signs had been there from the beginning, as the sense of occasion seemed to overwhelm Yeovil, whose fans were savouring the club's first appearance at Wembley.

Blackpool are remembered for the success at Wembley back in 1953 when Stanley Matthews inspired them to a 4-3 victory over Bolton in the FA Cup final.

As if the players were determined to live up to that glorious history, Blackpool assumed early control.

And within four minutes, Williams and Claus Jorgensen had taken aim at Yeovil's goal.

606: DEBATE

It set the pattern for the first half, with Blackpool driven on from the back by the determined figure of Williams and also by right-back Shaun Barker.

The progress by Barker down Yeovil's left flank also had the effect of pegging back Arron Davies - and with Yeovil on the back foot, only Blackpool's lacklustre finishing was letting them down.

Wes Hoolahan's trickery created chances for himself and a couple for Adrian Forbes but their shots were dragged wide or blocked.

Yeovil's midfield was being overrun and they were not helped when Chris Cohen was forced off with an injury in the 40th minute to be replaced by Jean-Paul Kalala.

And three minutes later, Yeovil suffered another blow when Williams curled in a free-kick after Parker had been fouled to score with the game's first on-target shot.

Yeovil almost went into the break level but were denied by a fingertip save from Paul Rachubka, who superbly pushed over Davies' free-kick.

Immediately after the interval, Yeovil showed signs of taking the game to their opponents but were soon punished for pushing too many players forward in search of the equaliser.

Blackpool worked the ball to Parker with a quick counter-attack and, as Yeovil's defence backed off, Parker teed up his shot and curled it into the right corner of the goal.

And it would have been worse for Yeovil shortly afterwards had Mildenhall not been at his best to save Parker's low shot from the left and later deny Morrell with another low stop.

It seemed that Blackpool, who had finished third in the league table would canter to victory, with Yeovil, who had finished four points behind in fifth, looking unable to raise their game.

And when Yeovil they did finally carve out an opening, Marcus Stewart sent his diving header into the ground and over the bar.

The miss left Yeovil deflated and Blackpool heeded the warning to tighten up at the back for the rest of the match, clinching promotion to the second tier of English football for the first time in 29 years.


  • Yeovil's manager boss Russell Slade:
    "The second goal was a bit of a blow, but on the balance of play Blackpool were the better team and deserved their success.

    "We've had a good season, but in the last 90 minutes it never came together.

    "There were some disappointing performances and it's not easy to take, but hopefully it will make me stronger and my team will come back stronger."

  • Blackpool boss Simon Grayson:
    "From the first whistle to the last we were outstanding and I'm very proud of this group of players, it's a fantastic achievement.

    "We'll never take the history away but now there are players here who want to go and make names for themselves.

    "Hopefully this is the start of the progression for the football club."


    Yeovil: Mildenhall, Lindegaard (Lynch 77), Forbes, Guyett, Jones, Gray, Barry, Cohen (Kalala 40), Davies, Stewart, Morris (Knights 72).
    Subs Not Used: Skiverton, Rose.

    Booked: Barry, Morris.

    Blackpool: Rachubka, Barker, Jackson, Evatt, Williams, Forbes (Fox 78), Jorgensen, Southern, Hoolahan (Vernon 86), Parker (Gillett 90), Morrell.
    Subs Not Used: Coid, Burgess.

    Booked: Barker.

    Goals: Williams 43, Parker 52.

    Att: 59,313

    Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).



  • SEE ALSO
    Play-off final photos
    27 May 07 |  League One


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