Seasiders vs. Seasiders in Cardiff!

Last updated : 26 February 2004 By Robert Craven

The Seasiders held a slender 1-0 lead from their first leg at Bloomfield Road a fortnight ago, up against a Sheffield Wednesday side who just ten years ago were playing in both the F.A. Cup and League Cup finals in a single season at Wembley against Arsenal. They sealed their victory with two first-half goals at Hillsborough from evergreen Mike Sheron and Keith Southern. The following report comes from our sister website, www.blackpool-mad.co.uk:

POOL AT THE MILLENIUM STADIUM!!!
by Peter Gillatt


First half goals from Mike Sheron (20) and Keith Southern (31) gave Blackpool a 3-0 aggregate win and booked their return back to the Millennium Stadium for the LDV FINAL…


Blackpool reached their second LDV Vans Trophy final in three years thanks to this smash and grab performance.


First-half goals from Mike Sheron and Keith Southern were enough to beat Sheffield Wednesday and set up a final with Southend United.


Wednesday goalkeeper Ola Tidman was stretchered off with suspected concussion after being clattered by Southern as he bundled home the Seasiders' second goal.


Blackpool boss Steve McMahon was without nine members of his first-team squad. The most notable absentees were top scorer Scott Taylor, whose goal in the first leg separated the sides, and playmaker Richie Wellens, who were both suspended.


Wednesday, searching for an early goal to level the tie, made the brighter start but Blackpool restricted them to long-range efforts from Adam Chambers and Alan Quinn.


For all their running and purpose the Owls lacked punch and with their first attack Blackpool scored to seize control of the tie.


Sheron read John Murphy's flick-on and his left-foot shot from the edge of the area found the roof of Tidman's net on 20 minutes.


Sheron nearly put the tie beyond reach when he nipped in between Tidman and Dean Smith to divert a cross goalwards, but youngster Richard Wood was on hand to clear off the line.


On 31 minutes Blackpool had one foot in the final. Southern connected with Liam Richardson's cross and clattered into Owls keeper Tidman, forcing the ball over the line.


Wednesday toiled for a way back into the game in the second half.


They rarely abandoned their neat football but never broke down McMahon's wall of tangerine as Blackpool put ten men behind the ball.


Midfielder Steve Haslam spurned Wednesday's best chance on the hour when he headed Brian Barry-Murphy's cross over the bar.


Chambers blazed wide and Jon Shaw shot straight at Lee Jones but it was all to no avail.


The Shrimpers will now go head-to-head in a ‘Pier versus Tower’ clash to see who is crowned LDV Vans Trophy winners 2003/4 on Sunday 21st March 2004 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Details on travel can be found on this website and on the Shrimpers Trust site at www.shrimperstrust.co.uk.


Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com