The Under-18’s made it three wins from three in the Professional Development Premier League Cup after beating Wigan Athletic 2-1 at Christopher Park.

First-half goals from Dannen Francis and Luke Byron ensured the three points for the young Seasiders.

The victory extends the side’s winning run to six games and means they have now progressed to the quarter-final stage of this particular competition.

The game started in very cagey fashion with both teams trying to work each other out.

Blackpool struggled to get out of their half in the opening 30 minutes, as the trialist goalkeeper in the Seasiders’ net had to pull off a smart save at his front post to keep the score-line intact.

Pool then took the lead in the 33^rd minute through Dannen Francis, who continued his good form. The winger was first to react in the box after Johnson Opawole rose highest from a corner to head the ball to Francis, who smashed home on the half-volley.

Opawole once again met a delivery into the box minutes later, but he ultimately headed wide of the mark.

It wasn’t long until the second came though, as Luke Byron powered the ball home from the edge of the box. It was good build-up play to set Byron into space on the edge of the box and the young midfielder used the time to blast the ball into the bottom corner.

Half-Time: Wigan Athletic 1 Blackpool 2

The second-half started in the same fashion as the first, with both sides struggling to break each other down.

The first chance after the interval fell to Taylor Bowen in the 73^rd minute. The striker was played in behind by Luke Byron but his shot lacked the needed power to test the goalkeeper.

Wigan got back into the game in the 83^rd minute. as Tyler Hill headed the ball into his own net from a corner to make the last 10 minutes nervy.

The young Seasiders saw out the last ten minutes comfortably enough, though. They even had a claim for a penalty in added time, but it was waved away by the referee before Taylor Bowen struck just wide of the post.

The Under-18’s finished top of their group thanks to this result, with previous wins coming against Preston North End and Burnley in the competition.

Full-Time: Wigan Athletic 1 Blackpool 2

Youth Team Progress In Professional Development Premier League Cup