Hartlepool United boss Martin Scott made just a single change for this afternoon?s trip to Walsall. The fit again Thomas Butler was recalled to the left wing, Ritchie Humphreys dropped back to left back as Hugh Robertson picked up a knock in training during the week and it was decided that he would not be risked for this afternoon?s game. The rest of the team picked itself after last weekend?s 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
Former Pools central defender Chris Westwood did not recover in time to take his place against his former club, but player manager Paul Merson did name himself on the left wing.
On a cold crisp day the game kicked off with approximately 200 Poolies in attendance. The first chance of the game came to Pools in the 10th minute as Dean McDonald saw a shot well saved by the Walsall keeper Joe Murphy. Pools then won back to back corners to keep the pressure on the home side, Merson?s defence marshalled the area well though and neither corner caused the home side any real problems.
Pools were dealt in blow in the 13th minute when captain Micky Barron was forced to come off due to injury. Barron had taken a knock in a challenge with Walsall striker Matt Fryatt and he limped off the pitch with what looked like a back injury, Martin Scott sent on Darren Williams as a straight swap for Barron at right back. Ritchie Humphreys took over as captain for the remainder of the game.
Darren Williams was penalised for a foul on 23 minutes, Paul Merson lined the free kick up some 25 yards out from the Pools goal, Merson floated the ball in but Ben Clark was on hand to head clear. Two minutes later and another Merson free kick was this time tipped over the cross bar by Dimitrious Konstantopolous.
As the half wore on the frantic pace slowed somewhat as both sides started to settle into the game, Pools were looking dangerous going forward with Dean McDonald causing problems in the centre and Butler and Istead probing on either wing. Ben Clark was commanding the midfield well alongside Tony Sweeney, Clark looks set to take the chance which has been handed the him and stay in the side over the busy Christmas period. Just before the half time whistle Darren Williams became the first name in the referee?s notebook for a foul midway inside the Pools half.
Within seconds of the restart Dean McDonald came within inches of scoring the first goal of the game after a neat turn and shot in the Walsall area. Just 8 minutes into the second period Merson made his first change of the game as Kris Taylor replaced Daniel Fox.
Konstantopolous was called upon 15 minutes into the second period as he did well to keep out a shot from Daryl Taylor. Walsall?s substitute Taylor was causing more problems for Pools 5 minutes later as a dipping shot went just over Dimi?s crossbar.
Merson made another change as James Constable replaced Daryl Taylor in the 73rd minute as Merson looked to kick start his Walsall side who had not really looked a threat throughout the game. Pools were starting to look a little tired in attack with Dean McDonald not long holding the ball up like he had been in the first half and the killer final ball was sadly missing. Martin Scott made his second change of the game as Darrell Clarke replaced Steven Istead out on the right wing in the 81st minute. Clarke had only been on the pitch about a minute when he was booked for a high challenge by referee Mr Singh.
Disaster struck for Pools in the 85th minute as Matt Fryatt picked the ball up from player manager Paul Merson and rolled it past Konstantopolous for what would surely be the goal to win the game for the home side. Martin Scott withdrew Dean McDonald and sent big Jon Daly onto the pitch as Pools went on the attack in search of a late equaliser.
4 minutes of added time were displayed by the fourth official as Pools threw men forward in hope of finding a goal, but it wasn?t too be as Walsall held out for their sixth straight home win. A disappointing defeat for Pools but the second half display was not as good as the first and perhaps Walsall just shaded the game.
Walsall
J Murphy, C Pead, A Gerrard, I Roper, J Bennett, D Taylor (73 J Constable) , S Osborn, D Fox (53 K Taylor) , M Fryatt, P Merson, A Nicholls
Subs: A Oakes, K Taylor, M Kinsella, M Bradley, J Constable
Hartlepool
Konstantopoulos, M Barron (15 D Williams) , M Nelson, N Collins, R Humphreys, S Istead (81 D Clarke), A Sweeney, B Clark, T Butler, C Llewellyn, D McDonald (86 J Daly)
Subs: J Brackstone, J Provett, D Williams
Ref: J Singh
Attendance: 4293
