Tranmere Rovers U18s suffered their first loss in five league games after a 3-2 loss away at Blackpool.
Goals from Jacob Walton and Nathan Corness gave the away side a 2-1 lead at halftime but it wasn’t fenough as two second half strikes gave the home side the victory.
The young Whites came into the game on the back of a convincing 9-0 win against Morecambe, a team that had beat them just a week before in the Youth Alliance Cup.
Blackpool had a chance within the first 10 seconds of the game when Andy Kanga latched onto a through ball, the striker lacked composure and fired wide.
Tranmere nearly took the lead when Harrison Musuamba found himself free inside the six yard box from a corner, the centre back somehow managed to head over the bar.
A spectacular goal-line clearance from Ethan Gouldbourne kept the game level after Tangerines forward Kanga managed to slip the ball past Ben Jones in the Rovers goal.
It was the home side who broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Kanga‘s mazy run on the edge of the Rovers box allowed Weston a free shot on goal.
The away side almost posted an immediate response when Burton received a drilled pass and attempted to lob Sam Kellitt - his effort went narrowly wide.
Andy Parkinson’s side deservedly levelled the game in the 40th minute after a stunning cross-field ball from Corness landed at the feet of Walton who made no mistake with his finish.
Tranmere took the lead a minute later after a defensive mix-up allowed Burton to square the ball to Corness - the winger smashed the ball into the bottom corner.
It was a cagey start to the second half with both teams forcing each other into mistakes - the home side had a couple of chances in quick succession but failed to trouble the ‘keeper.
Danny Ventre’s side levelled the game in the 55th minute when some poor defending from Tranmere allowed Kanga to bundle the ball home from two yards.
The home side continued to dominate the ball and once again took the lead in the 64th minute when substitute Will McGladdery received the ball on the edge of the area and smashed his shot under Jones.
A lovely switch of play found full-back Lewis Sinnott in space, his cross reached Burton who shifted the ball well but the striker fired well over the bar.
Kyle Hayde’s long-throw caused some issues in the Tangerines box and when the ball fell to George Nugent he arguably should have done more with his effort.
Substitute Harry Farley delivered an inviting cross into the box which met the head of Burton - the striker rose well but couldn’t quite direct his header towards the goal.
Tranmere pushed hard for an equaliser but couldn’t manage to break down the defensive shape Blackpool adopted in the last ten minutes of the game.
Andy Parkinson's side next game is against Preston North End at The Campus on Saturday 23rd November, 11am kick off.
Report by: Daniel Brown