E.F.L. Youth Alliance (Northern Section) Cup Final

Tuesday 3rd March 2026

Kick Off 13.00 Actual 13.02

Blackpool U18 2 Carlisle United U18 1, attendance 150

39’ 1-0

79’ 1-1

88’ 2-1

@ Common Edge Community Sports Village, 3G Pitch

Common Edge Road

Marton Fold

Blackpool

FY4 5FH

No Admission or Programme.

An early start this morning, blighted by the usual crawl on the M25 from J9 to J16, heading north to the southern outskirts of Blackpool, just east of Blackpool Airport and the 3G caged pitch at Common Edge Community Sports Village. It’s the standard set up, with spectator viewing on the whole of the near side, with dugouts opposite. Ample parking and entry via the main building, where toilets were available, but little else.

It was the northern section final of this competition, with the winners facing A.F.C. Wimbledon to determine the overall champions. We were thirty five minutes in before any real chances were created, with Blackpool lobbing the ball wide after being put through on goal, but it only took four more minutes for them to make the breakthrough, when a deflected cross from the right was swept in from six yards. Right on halftime Carlisle nearly levelled, following up a fumble by the ‘keeper, but hitting the post. They did grab an equaliser with eleven minutes left, when a through ball saw striker and ‘keeper race to the ball, with the challenge falling perfectly for a supporting player to lob into an empty net from 25 yards. Blackpool grabbed the winner with two minutes left, when a corner from the right was headed out to the edge of the box and returned with a volleyed shot that flew into the far corner.

Back on the road before 3 o’clock, heading south for the main event of the day…..