Hartlepool United boss Martin Scott made a couple of changes from the side which lost against Tamworth for tonight?s home game with Colchester United. Club captain Michael Barron came in at right back for his first start of the season, Darren Williams was the player to make way as he dropped down to the bench. Neill Collins returned to partner Michael Nelson with Darren Craddock missing out of the 16 man squad altogether. Ritchie Humphreys switched back to left back with John Brackstone also not involved in the squad.
In midfield Eifion Williams was handed the right wing slot with Thomas Butler moving back over to the left. Dean McDonald and Chris Llewellyn continued in attack. As I wandered to the ground I didn?t know what to expect from this game, Saturday was awful, would we bounce back or was it going to be more of the same?
The game started with Pools straight on the attack, with just 37 seconds on my watch Eifion Williams saw a shot turned away by Aidan Davison. Pools kept the early pace high and a shoot on sight policy looked to be in place. On two minutes Michael Nelson crossed from the right wing for Chris Llewellyn, the Pools striker who opened his account on Saturday from the penalty spot planted a header straight into the welcoming arms of Davison.
Eifion Williams became the first player in referee Mike Dean?s notebook for GBH inside the centre circle. The referee had to wait a few minutes to book Williams as play continued with Colchester gaining advantage.
Pools early high tempo play did not bring an early goal and by the 25 minute mark the pace had dropped a fair bit. If Pools had grabbed an early goal I would have been very confident of a positive result, but Colchester seemed well capable of dealing with anything Pools could created.
Martin Scott was forced into a change on 34 minutes as Thomas Butler pulled up injured, the winger couldn?t continue so Michael Proctor came to partner Dean McDonald with Chris Llewellyn moving out to the wing.
Five minutes before half time Chris Iwelumo volleyed well wide of Dimitrious Konstantopolous?s goal, a decent chance but an awful finish. With two minutes of injury time played the referee brought the first half to a close in driving rain.
The second half started with Pools kicking towards the Town End stand, Michael Proctor became the second Pools player in the referee?s notebook in the 48th minute. On 52 minutes Pools created their best chance of the game so far, good work by Proctor and Williams saw the ball played to Dean McDonald inside the Colchester box, the little striker turned well and drove a shot against the upright, unfortunately it was the outside of the post and the ball flew behind for a goal kick.
Just as the hour mark was about to tick over Colchester took the lead, a hopeful up and under cross from virtually on the goal line went over to the opposite side of the 6 yard box were Jamie Cureton hooked the ball over the Pools goal line. Konstantopolous appealed that the ball had gone out of play but the goal was given, ascruffy goal but they all count.
Dean McDonald hammered a shot wide on 70 minutes after a good knock down from Proctor. With 15 minutes remaining Scott replaced Mark Tinkler with Ben Clark, a strange switch as no disrespect to Ben Clark but he?s not exactly a creative midfielder.
Inside the final ten minutes and the tricky McDonald drove a shot inches over the Colchester cross bar. McDonald has quick feet and decent control but his finishing wasn?t the best tonight and he?s still looking for his first goal in Pools colours. Martin Scott made his third and final change on 87 minutes as Jon Daly replaced Michael Barron. Even with four minutes of injury time there wasn?t enough time remaining for Daly to make an impact on the game. Pools should have had a share of the spoils with a 90th minute equaliser from Neill Collins. A free kick was taken quickly, Chris Llewellyn took the ball to the goal lined then lifted it into the box, Collins made excellent contact with a powerful header but some how put it wide of the target from around four yards out. I think that miss sums us up at the moment.
Another defeat and Martin Scott?s position as manager continues to be questioned. The goals have dried up and although the overall performance was not bad tonight, I think we could have played till midnight and not drew level. After the game Scott said:-
‘We deserved something from the game, the lads all gave everything, played some good football, created chances but weren?t rewarded for that.’
