Maghull earn hard-fought point against AFC Blackpool

Maghull ended their poor run of form with a well earned 2-2 draw against AFC Blackpool following back-to-back losses.

Goals from Will Hoey and Harrison Worden earned the home side a respectable point against sixth placed AFC Blackpool, moving Maghull just two points away from the top five.

Maghull struck first in the 19th minute after an in-swinging corner was headed out by the Blackpool defence only for Worden to loop the ball back into the area. This was met by the head of Hoey who was able to trickle the ball into the Blackpool net. 

The goal came against the run of play as AFC Blackpool had seemed the most dangerous with multiple chances being awarded to the visitor’s forwards through confusion and a lack of communication in Maghull’s defence.  

Following Maghull’s opener, the defence became more compact. However, the backline was broken in the 35th minute through a long throw-in which was flicked on to Blackpool’s number nine on the volley. Keeper Jack McGovern palmed the ball but was unable to prevent the shot from going over his goal line.  

A very scrappy five minutes concluded the first half with both teams pushing to take the lead.

Half-time came following a golden chance for Maghull’s number nine. Hoey picked up the ball outside the area and through a great bit of trickery completely dumbfounded the opposition, gliding through to fire in a shot, forcing a save which was blazed over the bar. 

The second half started similar to how it ended with a scrappy 10 minutes with both teams pushing to take the lead.  

AFC Blackpool scored their second in the 64th minute with the ball making its way down the right flank before being whipped along the floor to the edge of the box. Blackpool’s captain and number seven was able to turn his defender before placing a left footed shot in the bottom corner.  

The goal seemed to inspire Maghull for the last 25 minutes as the left flank was endlessly causing trouble with link up between Worden in left back and his winger coming close to creating an equaliser.  

Maghull took their chance in the 86th minute when they were awarded a penalty following a swinging leg making contact with Maghull’s number 14 as he attempted to get a shot off.
Worden stepped up and calmly finished into the bottom right corner after patiently waiting for the Blackpool keeper to make the initial move.  

At 2-2 with just minutes to go the home side looked likely to push on and grab a winner, coming close from multiple enticing crosses and set pieces.  

However, the referee signalled for full time with the spoils shared, a hard-earned point for both teams with some real signs of quality on display in a fixture which was highly doubtful to be played following a week of freezing temperatures.  

This proved a good point for the home side whose shivering supporters will be hoping there will be momentum to take forward.