Oxford United 0-3 Blackpool: Seasiders take commanding lead into second leg

Ellis Simms (right) has scored 10 goals in 23 appearances for Blackpool since joining on loan from Everton in January

Ellis Simms' double put Blackpool in a commanding position as they swept aside Oxford United in their League One play-off semi-final first leg.

The visitors took the lead when Oxford failed to clear a free-kick and Oliver Turton tapped in at the far post.

They went 2-0 up thanks to Simms' cool finish three minutes later as Blackpool began to take control of the tie.

Simms then slotted past Oxford keeper Jack Stevens after the break as his side took a big step towards the final.

Oxford reached last season's League One play-off final but their attempts to reach a second successive Wembley showpiece are all but over at the halfway stage.

Before the opening goal, the 4,000 supporters who were back at the Kassam Stadium after an easing of lockdown restrictions, rose to clap in the ninth minute in memory of nine-year-old Blackpool boy Jordan Banks who was killed after being struck by lightning while playing football.

The visitors then pounced on Oxford's failure to deal with a long free-kick into the box as Josh Ruffels' scuffed clearance sailed across the face of his own goal and Turton was there to score.

The Seasiders doubled their lead soon after courtesy of a fine move upfield as Simms flicked the ball up past his marker and fired in an effort which took a slight deflection.

Neil Critchley's Blackpool won their last four games of the regular season to sneak ahead of Sunderland and Lincoln City into third place and they made light work of Oxford despite a vociferous home crowd.

Simms' second has almost certainly wrapped up Blackpool's place in the final and it came following a flowing box-to-box counter-attacking move before he finished low past Stevens with ease.

Oxford's night was summed up when second-half substitute Sam Winnall, sent on to provide some late attacking threat for the hosts, was forced off through injury just 18 minutes after his arrival.

Cameron Brannagan also limped off late on meaning the hosts had to finish the game with 10 men as they had used all their substitutes.

Oxford United manager Karl Robinson told BBC Radio Oxford:

"There was nothing in the game except that three-and-a-half minute spell in the first half and the emotion of that moment got us very edgy and that's very unlike us.

"I think after that we were far the better team and then they scored on the counter-attack when we could've scored a goal ourselves. That's just the nature of it, in the space of 25 seconds the game has turned.

"My players are sad at the moment and I'm not sure they can get much lower than how they feel right now. But maybe that's not a bad place to be going into the second leg, being fearless.

"We're not out of it, I mean that and we have positivity in abundance. The bit that worries me and I can't answer right now, is the state of some of the injuries sustained tonight."

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley:

"Oxford started well with their supporters behind them creating a good atmosphere but we had our good moments too. Goals change games and fortunately for us they went for us.

"If you'd have said to me before the game that we would score three goals and keep a clean sheet, I would have bitten your hand off.

"But it's only half-time and Oxford have enough quality in their squad to come back. They were the third highest scorers in the division and they are certainly capable of scoring goals at our place."

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