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Wanderers’ B Team kicked off 2023 with a 4-1 defeat against leaders Blackpool in the Central League at Lostock.
Brad Holmes and Berry Lubala both scored twice as the Seasiders moved three points clear of the Whites.
Conor Carty pulled one back for Matt Craddock’s side, having returned from a loan spell at National League club Gateshead.
The first chance fell to Carty, who was denied by a smart stop from Archie Cunningham after getting in behind the Blackpool backline.
The visitors then went ahead when Holmes drilled home after getting on the end of a clever cut-back from the right wing.
Luke Hutchinson made a fine stop to deny Luke Mariette from close range as Blackpool continued to look lively in the final third.
The Seasiders were awarded a penalty moments later after Hutchinson was judged to have tripped Lubala after Adam Senior had initially made a good block. The forward made no mistake from the penalty spot.
The Bolton goalkeeper made another impressive stop 10 minutes before the break to keep out Holmes’ flick.
Senior missed a big chance to get his side back in the game on the stroke of half time, heading wide from Connor Stanley’s free kick.
And Wanderers were made to pay at the other end when Holmes slotted home from a tight angle. Hutchinson thought he had managed to keep it out but the linesman judged that the ball had crossed the line.
After the break, Donovan Lescott was denied by the crossbar after showing good feet to avoid Andrew Tutte’s sliding tackle.
Carty then came inches away from getting on the end of substitute Matty Grivosti’s inviting ball across the face of goal.
Lamine Toure also sent a header wide after meeting Sam Inwood’s in-swinging corner, before Senior sent an effort over the bar from distance.
Blackpool added a fourth when Lubala gave Hutchinson no chance with a ruthless strike after Wanderers had failed to clear their lines.
But the Whites provided an immediate response, with Carty pouncing on a defensive mix-up and slotting home.
Gerald Sithole was forced off with an injury during the final stages, with Danny Jones coming off the bench.
Hutchinson, Tutte (Grivosti), Toure, Senior, Sackey, Khumbeni, Pettifer (Tweedley), Inwood, Stanley, Sithole (Jones), Carty
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