Daniel Ballard scored the second goal of his loan spell and helped Blackpool keep yet another clean sheet in a win over the weekend.
Making his eighth consecutive League One start for Blackpool on Saturday against Oxford United, Daniel Ballard aided his side in the centre of defence as they kept yet another clean sheet.
Blackpool have only conceded three goals in those eight games, with the opposition blanking on the other five occasions. This time around, Ballard made four clearances, blocked one shot, and won five of his eight aerial duels to keep Oxford out.
But the defender’s biggest contribution came at the other end of the pitch. Coming up for a corner, Ballard found space in the centre of the box and attacked the ball and powered home a header from close range.
📽 Signing off in style.
⚽️ @dg_ballard scores his second goal for Blackpool – prior to reporting for international duty with @NorthernIreland
🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/VMfYdz10y3
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) March 21, 2021
The goal gave Blackpool a 2-0 first-half lead that they held onto for the remainder of the match.
After scoring his first goal earlier this month, Ballard told the media he felt he should be getting on the scoresheet more often, and he hoped it would open the floodgates somewhat. The early signs look good.
Unfortunately for Blackpool, Ballard will now head off on senior international duty with Northern Ireland, missing their next few fixtures. From an Arsenal point of view, that’s just another sign of his positive progress.