Taylor rues first-half collapse as Exeter are unable to repair damage against Blackpool
A ruthless first-half performance in which they scored three times helped Blackpool seal a 3-2 FA Cup first-round success at Exeter City on Saturday.
The League One side came flying out of the traps and took the lead within the first two minutes. Harry Pritchard’s deep cross was headed back by John O’Sullivan and Joe Dodoo rose highest to plant a header past goalkeeper James Hamon.
Blackpool continued to attack at will and, from one of many corners they won Mark Cullen got to the ball ahead of Hamon to bundle the ball in and double their lead.
Jon Forte missed a great chance to pull a goal back for Exeter, who then found themselves 3-0 down after 24 minutes when they lost possession cheaply and the ball was crossed to Pritchard to convert at the back post from close range.
Exeter gave it a go after halftime and pulled one back when Archie Collins was tripped by Ryan McLaughlin. The referee gave the penalty, which was missed by Pierce Sweeney, but Jordan Tillson reacted quickest to convert the loose ball.
Tristan Abrahams then curled in a beauty from 25 yards in the 90th minute to make it 3-2 but, despite more pressure in stoppage time, the Grecians could not find an equaliser.
Exeter manager Matt Taylor admitted: “The three goals in quick succession in that 30 to 35-minute spell in the first half just took us out of the game completely.
“No matter how well we played in the second half, the three goals kill you, and it’s a very rare occasion that you get back in the game from 3-0 down,” he added.
“Having said that, the second-half performance was simple and basic, but it had a purpose about it. Some of the players stood up and played well in that second half.
“It’s not easy to do that when you’re 3-0 down, but you throw caution to the wind in some aspects of your play. The most important thing is to give yourself a chance.”
The City boss added: “We have to defend our box better than we showed today. Part of it is luck, part of it is good play from the opposition, and part of it is poor from us. It can be a combination of things.
“In terms of the first-half performance, the more we con- ceded, the more we opened ourselves up.
“I just needed the senior players to drag them in, get tight and compact and get to half-time at 2-0, even better 1-0, let alone 3-0. That’s disappointing, it really is, but then you give them a structure in the second half, the structure we try and give them week in, week out, and then they go and play like that in the second half, which is even more frustrating to see.”
Taylor continued: “We were without some attacking players who can take the ball high as we possibly can, so I was looking at Archie Collins and Jake Taylor or Nicky Law to travel with the ball, get to the byline, and then at least we can deliver from further up the pitch.
“First half, we didn’t have any intent in us to take the ball high up the pitch. If you play a certain position on the pitch, you have to take the ball up the pitch, get it close to their goal and get it away from ours.
“Second half, we did that, we did the basics really well and just covered the areas of the pitch and created enough chances to get back into a normal game of football, but when you’re 3-0 down you’ve got no chance.”