Cider drinking…hopefully

Hartlepool United make the long trip to Somerset this weekend as Yeovil Town are the latest team looking to increase the pressure on Pools management duo Martin Scott and Steve Agnew. It’s been a funny week, rumours of press ban’s, further signings and players returning from injury, there’s never a dull moment in the world of Hartlepool United.

Needless to say Martin Scott and Steve Agnew will be looking for their side to collect all three points from this game, or at least come home with a share of the spoils.

Vital Quotes:

Yeovil boss Steve Thompson said after Monday’s 1-0 away win at Doncaster Rovers:-

“We were magnificent today. I thought that all the lads were magnificent for the whole 90 minutes. I thought we definitely deserved to win and should have won by more. We had a few chances in the first half and a couple of chances at the start of the second half as well that we should have put away.”

After the 1-1 home draw with Swindon Town Pools boss Martin Scott told the official website:-

“We passed it about and created chances but while it’s only 1-0 there is always a chance you will be caught and that is what happened.

I think it looked like two sides at the end of a busy four games in eight days and we just didn’t have enough to push on in the second half.”

Yeovil Team News:

Yeovil could be without defender Kevin Amankwaah who picked up a knee injury in the closing minutes of the 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers on Monday. Amankwaah was shielding the ball out for a goal kick when Rovers player Mark Albrighton clattered into the back of him. Darren Way this week returned to training after recovering from an operation to solve a shin problem, but he is not expected to figure against Pools.

Player to watch: Phil Jevons:

Jevons has already scored nine goals this season but perhaps more importantly he has grabbed three in his last four games, taking the step up from League Two to League One firmly in his stride. Last season Jevons bagged 29 goals as Town collected the League Two Championship trophy.

Hartlepool Team News:

Pools this week received the massive boost of having striker Joel Porter return to training. However Skippy will need to spend the next few weeks building up his fitness before being pencilled in for a couple of reserve team games. Left back Matty Robson made his return to reserve team action as he played against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday afternoon. Robson could be added to the squad which travels south on Friday afternoon.

Player to watch: Darrell Clarke:

With Eifion Williams now established as an out and out striker once again the right wing position is there to be claimed. Darrell Clarke came through the Christmas period unscathed and looks set for an extended run in the side. Keep an eye on Clarke he’s due a goal.

Match Facts & Stats

Yeovil 2-1 Barnsley 17-12-2005
Yeovil 1-1 Bournemouth 23-12-2005
Tranmere 4-1 Yeovil 28-12-2005
Yeovil 1-1 Bristol C 31-12-2005
Doncaster 0-1 Yeovil 02-01-2006

Walsall 1-0 Hartlepool 17-12-2005
Barnsley 1-1 Hartlepool 26-12-2005
Hartlepool 1-2 Southend 28-12-2005
Oldham 2-1 Hartlepool 31-12-2005
Hartlepool 1-1 Swindon 02-01-2006

Match Prediction:

I fear this season is going to get worse before it gets better. I’ve got a full humble pie in the freezer and hopefully I’ll be defrosting it on Saturday night. I’m predicting a home win I’m afraid, Yeovil to run out 3-1 winners as I think they will have too much for Pools.