In the League Cup game on 8 August 2026, Blackpool beat Grimsby 1:3. Match numbers: shots on target 8:4, corners 13:4.
Match report
Blackpool eased into the second round of the League Cup with a 3-1 victory over Grimsby at Blundell Park on Friday evening. The result sends the visitors through to the Round of 64 while Grimsby's campaign ends at the first hurdle.
N. Ennis gave Blackpool the perfect start with a goal in the third minute. The hosts failed to respond, and J. Bowler doubled the advantage before the break, scoring in the 58th minute. Grimsby pulled one back through H. Rodgers in the 92nd minute, but K. Kouassi restored the two-goal cushion almost immediately.
Blackpool were more clinical in front of goal despite both sides holding 50 per cent possession. They registered only four shots on target but converted them with 1.64 expected goals, while Grimsby fired eight on target and managed just 0.67.
The visitors made five changes during the match, bringing on I. Niskanen, H. Coulson and K. Anderson at various stages. Grimsby responded with three substitutions of their own, introducing J. Amaluzor, J. Walker and K. Green in an attempt to find a way back into the tie.
The win extends Blackpool's recent run of results, though they have struggled to find consistency this season. Grimsby come from a 3-2 victory over their local rivals earlier in the week, but this performance suggested there is no value left at that number when tested by a side that held their nerve.
HT⚽3' N. Ennis — Goal⇄33' I. Niskanen — Substitution🟨55' J. Williams — Yellow card⚽58' J. Bowler — Goal⇄61' J. Amaluzor — Substitution⇄71' H. Coulson — Substitution⇄74' J. Walker — Substitution⇄75' K. Green — Substitution⇄82' K. Anderson — Substitution⚽90+2' H. Rodgers — Goal⇄90+4' G. D. Turi — Substitution⚽90+5' K. Kouassi — Goal
