Championship Play-off Semi-Final Result 11th May

Nottingham Forest 3-4 Blackpool, second leg (agg 4-6)
Blackpool might have gone into this game with the advantage but I’m sure not many people thought they’d actually preserve it. I mean, Nottingham Forest and Blackpool? Even I remember (well I think I do) when Forest were in the Premier League and Blackpool in League Two.
But Forest’s home record was ended by a Championship side for the first time for months when Blackpool paid them a visit. Forest took an early lead through Wales international Rob Earnshaw, who put his team ahead again after 77 minutes, making the score 2-1 with an aggregate score of 2-2. Rob could have got a hat-trick if the assistant referee hadn’t been paying attention but the offside flag ruled it out.
But Blackpool weren’t finished yet. Three goals in seven minutes put them well ahead. At this stage it wasn’t clear whether they’d be facing Cardiff City or Leicester City but there is no doubt which team was Blackpool’s preference. As their hat-trick hero DJ Campbell is on loan from Leicester, he would not be able to play if they faced Leicester in the final.
Rob Earnshaw and Chris Gunter were rightly back in the starting line-up for Forest and I do wonder if the first leg might have been slightly different if Forest has played their best defender and top scorer. But we’ll never know now.
David Vaughan again played really well for Blackpool (and might have got an assist) with Rob Edwards coming off the bench in the 94th minute. Neal Eardley and Daniel Nardiello were again both left out of the squad.
A big well done to Blackpool and big hugs for Nottingham Forest, who have been great this season. Whatever happens now, Blackpool and Ian Holloway have had an incredible season and achieved something really special. Nottingham Forest have the strength, depth and reputation to be right up there again next season.