Match report
Blackpool hold off Grimsby fightback to win 3-1 at Blundell Park
Blackpool progressed in the League Cup Round of 128 with a 3-1 win over Grimsby at Blundell Park, having led 1-0 at half-time and looking comfortable for long periods before a frantic finish. Niall Ennis put the visitors ahead inside three minutes, and Joshua Bowler doubled the lead just after the hour to make it 0-2.
AI-assisted match report written from official match data.
Grimsby, who had trailed for the entire match, finally found a way through deep into stoppage time when Harvey Rodgers converted an assist from Géza Turi in the 90+2nd minute to make it 1-2 and set up a nervy finish. Any hope of a comeback was extinguished almost immediately, though, as Kylian Kouassi restored Blackpool's two-goal cushion in the 90+5th minute to complete the scoring at 1-3.
Grimsby had more of the ball in terms of corners won, thirteen to four, and committed fewer fouls than their opponents, but Blackpool were the sharper side in front of goal, striking the target eight times from thirteen shots compared to Grimsby's four from ten. Possession was shared evenly at 50-50, yet the away side made their chances count when it mattered.
Bowler scored Blackpool's second goal and was rated the top performer on the pitch with an 8.0 rating, capping a clinical away display alongside fellow scorer Ennis.
Blackpool were considerably more efficient in attack, hitting the target with eight of their thirteen shots compared to Grimsby's four from ten.
Blackpool won 3–1 away against Grimsby (half-time 0–1).
Grimsby met Blackpool in the League Cup (Round of 128). Kick-off was Saturday, 8 August 2026, 14:00 UTC at Blundell Park. Referee: Neil Hair.
Team pages: Grimsby · Blackpool · League Cup
Key moments
- 3' Goal: Niall Ennis — 0–1
- 58' Goal: Joshua Bowler — 0–2
- 90+2' Goal: Harvey Rodgers (assist: Géza Turi) — 1–2
- 90+5' Goal: Kylian Kouassi — 1–3
Starting line-ups
Grimsby (4-1-4-1)
Blackpool (4-3-1-2)
Sirius · Why these numbers
Before kick-off Sirius gave Grimsby 51%, the draw 26%, Blackpool 23%. It finished Grimsby 1–3 Blackpool.
A slight rating edge to Grimsby, little else — Grimsby are a shade stronger on our strength rating, and that is most of Grimsby's 51%. The draw at 26% is about what a gap this size usually leaves.
Why Grimsby at 51%?
Grimsby sit 77 points higher on our strength rating — 1491 to 1414. Sides with a 50–100-point rating edge at home won 50.6% of 10,332 such games.
Why only 51%?
No scored evidence points the other way. 51% is what this rating gap has been worth in games like these; the rest is the draw at 26% and Blackpool at 23%.
Why the draw at 26%?
With a rating gap this size the draw starts at 26.5%. These teams' recent games average 3.1 goals — a typical goals environment. Games in that environment drew 24.6% of 24,733.
What did we measure but not count?
Grimsby arrive with 24 fully-tracked matches, so their strength number is a first estimate that will move quickly; Blackpool bring a 347-game record. New-to-the-record sides are where our rating knows least.
Sirius probabilities, frozen at kick-off. Analysis, not betting advice. How Sirius is doing this season · Full breakdown, evidence cards and squad news in the Match Insights tab
About this match
On this page: the Grimsby vs Blackpool final score and result, who scored, starting lineups, match stats and the full match report from this League Cup fixture.
- Who scored and when — a goal-by-goal timeline of the match.
- Match stats — possession, shots, expected goals (xG), corners and cards.
- Starting lineups and player ratings for both teams.
- Head-to-head record and recent form for both sides.
The full match report above covers the goals, key moments and stats. Explore more on the Grimsby and Blackpool team pages or the League Cup page.
Quick answers
›What was the final score of Grimsby vs Blackpool?
Blackpool won 3–1 away against Grimsby (half-time 0–1).
›Who scored in Grimsby vs Blackpool?
Niall Ennis (3') for Blackpool; Joshua Bowler (58') for Blackpool; Harvey Rodgers (90+2') for Grimsby; Kylian Kouassi (90+5') for Blackpool.
›Where can I watch Grimsby vs Blackpool highlights?
This page carries the full match report, stats and lineups for Grimsby vs Blackpool; goal clips are added as soon as official highlights are available.