Gainsborough T. 0-6 Pools

Hartlepool United brushed aside their non-league opponents with a comfortable win against Gainsborough Trinity
Teams
Report
Danny Wilson made 3 changes to the side that lost at Huddersfield as Ali Gibb, Andy Monkhouse and Joel Porter were replaced by Jamie McCunnie, Ian Moore and Michael Mackay.

Any pre match nerves were calmed quickly as Ritchie Barker gave Pools an early lead. Mackay made a good run down the wing and passed to Barker who slotted home from a few yards out.

The home side took the goal in their stride and had some good chances at the other end. Wes Parker should have done better when he headed over a deep cross.

Pools doubled their advantage on 25 minutes when Ritchie Barker headed home an inch perfect corner from Jamie McCunnie.

Gainsborough had a couple of chances to pull one back, Needham couldn’t get his effort on target and Ben Clark had to put in a great tackle to prevent a dangerous through ball. Ritchie Barker went close at the other end as his shot was deflected wide.

HT: Gainsborough Trinity 0-2 Hartlepool

Soon after the restart Pools put the game out of reach, Jamie McCunnie’s cross was poorly dealt with and Gary Liddle was on hand to head home.

The easiest chance of the game came for the home side on the hour mark, a slick passing move cut open Pools defence and the ball was headed down to Danny Anson who somehow missed from 5 yards out.

Pools made it 4 through Ian Moore soon after, the impressive McCunnie slid the ball to him and he lashed the ball into the top corner.

Sweeney and Brown had good chances before the fifth goal. Good work from Porter was followed by a great cross and James Brown headed past the Trinity keper.

The rout was completed with 8 minutes remaining when Joel Porter got himself on the scoresheet, the substitute took the ball past the home defence and smashed the ball into the top corner.

FT: Gainsborough Trinity 0-6 Hartlepool

Comment
The early goal really settled our nerves today, this was a real banana skin and we did a great job.

All the strikers apart from Mackay got on the scoresheet and we were solid at the back. The scoreline may have been a little harsh on our non-league opponents but we had the quality finishing which they sadly lacked.

Roll on Tuesday night when Morecambe visit the Vic in the JPT, there should be a big crowd which will hopefully fire the lads on to the next round.

Teams
Hartlepool: Budtz, McCunnie, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Brown, Sweeney, Liddle (Antwi 57), Moore, Barker (Monkhouse 67), Mackay (Porter 52)
Subs: Lee-Barrett, Foley

Gainsborough Trinity: Sollitt, Wood, Drury, Parker, Pell, Anson, Callery (Smith 77), McMahon, Clayton (Wiggins-Thomas 77), Hall, Needham (Mallon 74)
Subs: Ellis, Davison