In total, eight members of the Hibernian FC Academy featured in the match, gaining important First Team minutes and competing against an experienced Blackpool side.
Second half headers from Shayne Lavery and Kenny Dougall proved to be the difference makers, before Owen Dale added a third late-on to secure the victory for the home side.
With the Hibees having played on Thursday evening in Andorra, Lee Johnson used our trip to Blackpool as a good opportunity to rotate his squad, giving important game time to several players in the squad – including Martin Boyle who made his first appearance for the Club since October 2022 after returning from injury.
New signing Jojo Wollacott started in goals, behind a back four of Riley Harbottle – who made his first start for the Hibees – Allan Delferrière, Oscar MacIntyre and Kanayo Megwa.
Jimmy Jeggo captained the side and played alongside youngsters Reuben McAllister and Rudi Molotnikov in the middle of the park, behind a front three of Dan MacKay, Elias Melkersen and Martin Boyle.
Wearing our brand-new purple away kit, the Hibees were greeted with tremendous support in Blackpool with around 2,500 Hibernian supporters making the trip to Bloomfield Road.
Johnson’s side responded well to the support and started brightly creating a couple of early chances. MacKay and Melkersen linked up smartly down the left-hand side which created a shooting chance for the Norwegian, but his powerful effort was always rising and sailed over the crossbar.
Martin Boyle was next to try his luck around the 10-minute mark. The Hibs no.10 was quickest to react to a loose ball on the edge of the area, taking the ball down and beating his man before working Blackpool's goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw - who got down smartly to save.
The hosts began to find their footing in the game and created a few chances of their own inside a fast-paced opening 20 minutes.
Sonny Carey went close for the Seasiders – narrowly dragging a shot wide of Wollacott’s right-hand post before Albie Morgan squandered a chance at point-blank range inside the six-yard box.
Melkersen then had a great chance to open the scoring for Hibs. McAllister sent a perfectly waited pass over the top, in the direction of Melkersen, but the Norwegian’s first touch allowed Blackpool defender Marvin Ekpiteta to track back and put in an excellent last-ditch challenge just before he could pull the trigger.
Ekpiteta was involved again moments later – this time heading MacKay’s flicked header off the line after Boyle’s delivery.
The youthful Hibs side was more than holding their own in what was an entertaining first half which had chances at both ends but ended goalless.
Half-time: Blackpool 0 Hibs 0
Johnson made one switch at the interval – with Boyle making way for Jacob MacIntyre to manage his match minutes and return to full fitness.
The hosts started the second half the better of the two sides, dominating the majority of possession and looking to swing early crosses into the box.
Wollacott punched clear on several occasions, but Blackpool’s perseverance eventually paid off and they opened the scoring on the hour mark through Shayne Lavery.
Matt Pennington played an inch-perfect cross towards the far post with Lavery nodding the ball beyond Wollacott to give the Seasiders the lead.
Owen Hastie was introduced with 25 minutes left to play with Harbottle coming off as a precaution after going down with a knock. That took the average age of our back four to 19 years old with Academy graduates Malik Zaid and Robbie Hamilton also coming on for the final 20 minutes.
Wollacott got down smartly to save from Carey to keep the deficit to one as Hibs began to get pushed back into their own half as Blackpool sharpened up after making 10 changes in personnel for the last period of the game.
Dougal added a second five minutes from time, nodding in Tom Trybull’s free-kick to double their advantage before Dale made it three to complete the victory for the Seasiders.
That meant the Hibees pre-season campaign ended in defeat, with the competitive action resuming on Thursday 3 August for our second-leg UEFA Europa Conference League tie with Inter Club d'Escaldes at Easter Road.
Half time: Blackpool 3 Hibs 0
Hibs Starting XI: Jojo Wollacott; Allan Delferrière, Kanayo Megwa, Riley Harbottle, Oscar MacIntyre; Jimmy Jeggo, Reuben McAllister, Rudi Molotnikov; Dan MacKay, Elias Melkersen, Martin Boyle.
Subs: Max Boruc; Owen Hastie, Robbie Hamilton, Jacob MacIntyre, Malik Zaid.
