North End were dominant on derby day as they swept aside the Seasiders in a 4-0 win at Springfields.
Four first half goals for North End saw them cruise to victory in the Youth Alliance League, with Finlay Cross-Adair, Lewis Leigh, Kitt Nelson and Rio Pemberton all on the scoresheet for the Lilywhites.
North End raced straight out of the blocks to take an early lead. Jacob Slater headed the ball across the box, Cross-Adair spun away from his man and fired emphatically past the keeper.
The Lilywhites had the better of the opening stages in the first half and doubled their lead after just 18 minutes. Leigh whipped his free kick into the box, it evaded everyone including the Blackpool ‘keeper and went into the right-hand corner.
Just three minutes later North End had a third. Pemberton got down the right, he fired a low ball into a crowded penalty area and Nelson was able to flick the ball home.
The visitors then had their first opportunity of the match which saw James Pradic called into action to make a good save before Nelson attempted an effort from distance which was tipped past the post by the ‘keeper.
The rampant Lilywhites made it four before half-time as Pemberton once again got free down the right-hand side, he decided to take on the shot which flew beyond the goalkeeper.
North End were forced into a change just a few minutes before the break when Mikey O’Neill had to be replaced by Kaedyn Kamara due to injury.
PNE then picked things up from where they left off as the second half started.
The Lilywhites were content with just retaining possession as the half went on and North End made their second change of the game seeing Noah Mawene make way for Ethan Eccleston.
Cross-Adair forced the Blackpool keeper into a good save diving down to his right as he searched for his second goal of the game.
North End’s third change came with 78 minutes gone as Leigh made way for Cole McGhee.
Pradic was then forced into making a couple of routine saves to keep his clean sheet intact as PNE comfortably saw out the victory.
Speaking at full-time, coach Andy Fensome was pleased with the first-half performance which saw north end cruise to victory.
“It was an excellent first half it really was,” said Fensome.
“Similar to last week, I thought our range of passing was great, I thought our clinical finishing was impressive too.
“Everyone was up for the game with it being a local derby but, it was also another game for the boys to produce a good standard of football and I think they did that.”
This win now makes it three wins in a row for the Lilywhites in the Youth Alliance League.
“The confidence is high because we are winning football matches,” continued Fensome.
“Most importantly though we are playing good football along the way, some of the patterns of play and movement are really nice.
“All these things we’ve worked on in training is starting to come to fruition and it’s good to see.”
The lads will be back in action next week when they travel down to Shrewsbury hoping to extend this winning streak.
PNE line-up: Pradic, Wallbank, Slater, Leigh (c) (McGhee 78'), Taylor, Best, Pemberton, N.Mawene (Eccleston 68'), Cross-Adair (Paton 84'), Nelson, O'Neill (Kamara 41')
Unused subs: Stowell