Blackpool FC Community Trust – Another Pan Ability Triumph
On Saturday 4th June 2016 Blackpool FC Community Trust ‘Pan-Ability’ team took part in the Frankel Topping Lancashire FA Ability Ability Counts Cup at LFA Headquarters in Leyland. The BFCCT team had previously won both the Premiership and Championship divisions of the Ability Counts last month.
This was the second time the BFCCT team Pan Ability team had entered the competition. All of the participants who play for the team have various disabilities such as Deaf, Cerebral Palsy, MLD and SLD.
The team arrived raring to go a played their first fixture vs Tom Finney B team where the team won 3-0 after a flurry of late goals, the best strike coming from B&FC striker Jonathan Carmichael who drove his shot into the top left hand corner for the teams third of the game.The team then faced Burnley Town who the team comfertably seen off 6-0 in the days second fixture of the day.
It was the final group stage match between BFCCT and last years winners Deaf Rhinos which would arguably of been the toughest game for the Blackpool side, it was very close and both teams going close towards the end of the match but the game ended in a 0-0 draw. The team had qualified to the semi-finals of the competition finishing top of their group on goal difference.
It was a derby in the semi final where BFCCT faced Mill Hill reds who they had previously clinched the title from last month in the Ability Counts League competition. The Seasiders had all the early opportunities with McDonagh coming closest in the opening minutes, the team then took the lead through a thunderous strike from Heritage but the team were pegged back seconds from time after a defensive lapse. The game went straight to penalties which seen a marvellous shoot out but the Blackpool keeper Dougherty was the hero saving the Blackburn’s side’s 8th penalty in sudden death.
Our BFCCT were one final game away from lifting the treble for the Ability Counts Competition including both league’s and the cup. The game kicked off vs Sir Tom Finney A and as expected the game was extremely close with little chances for either side, the tackles were flying in as both teams were eager to get the early goal. In the eighth minute Blackpool took the lead with a scrappy finish from a long throw. The second goal came courtesy of Heritage and the result was sealed seconds from time as Tugwoods shot from distance which the keeper got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. The game finished 3-0 and was the first Ability Counts Cup Competition he team had ever won.
Owen Coyle (BFCCT Inclusion Officer) said; ‘Well done to all the participants, it was a massive achievement for the team but this will have a positive impact in all their lives as it’s a day they won’t forget’.
A wonderful outcome to round up the BFCCT Pan Ability season, well done to all the participants who have been committed and worked hard this season.
