Freedman - A good old fashioned cup tie

Manager reflects back on Bolton's FA Cup third round triumph over Blackpool at the Reebok

Manager Dougie Freedman described his side’s clash against Blackpool as a ‘good old fashioned cup tie’ as the Whites claimed a 2-1 victory over the Seasiders at the Reebok Stadium.

In a repeat of the 1953 FA Cup final, Bolton deservedly went ahead through French striker David Ngog as he got his second goal in as many games with a stunning 25-yard effort.

Despite Bolton’s first half dominance, Tom Barkhuizen ensured Paul Ince’s men went into the interval level despite controversy surrounding the goal with a Blackpool player alleged to be in an offside position.

With the tie evenly balanced, Bolton hit the ground running in the second half and regained the lead after clever link up play through Ngog and Jermaine Beckford, with the latter hitting what would be the winning goal to ensure Wanderers’ name in the fourth round draw.

Speaking after the final whistle, manager Freedman was pleased with the way his conducted themselves from start to finish.

“We created numerous goal scoring opportunities in the first half so I was disappointed we didn’t go into the break in front.

“In the second half we showed great commitment and real honesty and we scored a wonderful second goal to win the game.

“At the other end, Andy Lonergan made a couple of important saves late on but overall it was a great result.

“There is a great history in this competition between these two clubs and I am really pleased we are in the next round.

“It was a good old fashioned cup tie but our honesty and hard work got us through to the next round. 

“We showed we can control games out of the possession and we had a discipline in our performance. In the end we had one or two counter attacks and the score could have quite easily finished 4-4.

“David Ngog played very well but a number of our players were on top form today. In the first half our attacking players showed a real willingness to get the ball in the penalty area. Collectively we were very good this afternoon.”


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