By Blackpool FC

Blackpool succumbed to a 4-0 defeat to Premier League outfit Leeds United in their second pre-season friendly on Thursday evening.

Leeds dominated the early part of the match, and had the ball in the back of the net on four minutes when Joe Gelhardt tapped home a cross from the left. The Leeds frontman was, however, offside and the goal was ruled out.

Just six minutes later, they did score, as Robin Koch tapped home this time from a cross from the left hand side.

Blackpool were pushing to get themselves back in the game against their opponents, and managed to find their way in on goal with some good build-up play on 15 minutes. Rob Apter played a lovely cross deep from the right hand side into the back post, with Brad Holmes there, but the striker couldn't divert the ball towards goal.

Leeds were showing their Premier League class early on and found the net again on 24 minutes. A corner kick was whipped in and Junior Firpo flicked the ball past everyone into the far post.

They made it three five minutes later, as a defensive mix-up at the back allowed Rodrigo to fire past Maxwell and into the roof of the net, as Pool were finding life difficult in the warm Yorkshire sunshine.

Luke Garbutt stung the palms of Iilan Meslier in the Leeds goal late on, whilst Sonny Carey and Josh Bowler looked lively, but Leeds took a three goal lead into the interval.

Half-time: Leeds United 3 Blackpool 0

Michael Appleton made nine changes at half-time, with just Jack Moore and Rob Apter staying on. 

Leeds were dictating the tempo of the second half, but were struggling to break down a completely different Blackpool backline, with Marvin Ekpiteta and Doug Tharme brought in at centre-half.

The second half overall was played at a low tempo, as neither side got up the gears to build up any steam. Young defender Harvey Hughes came on to replace Rob Apter on 70 minutes to make his Blackpool bow at left-back.

Callum Connolly had a good effort go just wide of the far post ten minutes from time, whilst Shayne Lavery was played through with a wonderful pass from CJ Hamilton moments later, only for his effort to be saved by the goalkeeper.

Despite Pool creating a few good chances on goal in the final moments, it was Leeds who grabbed their fourth of the match in the final five minutes, as Mateo Joseph was able to slide a cross from the flank into the net and ensure Leeds secured a deserved victory in pre-season.

Full-time: Leeds United 4 Blackpool 0

First Half XI: Maxwell, Apter, Keogh, Thorniley, Garbutt, Dougall, Carey, Virtue, Bowler, Madine, Holmes (29' Moore)

Second Half XI: Grimshaw, Moore, Ekpiteta, Thame, Apter (70' Hughes), Connolly, Dale, Anderson, Hamilton, Lavery, Lubala