Pools held Dutch side AZ Alkmaar to a credible draw at Victoria Park
Teams
Report
Pools started with Jan Budtz in goal for the game against AZ Alkmaar, The defensive line up consisted of Jamie McCunnie, Michael Nelson, Godwin Antwi and Robbie Elliott. Ben Clark took up a defensive midfield position alongside Gary Liddle and Antony Sweeney. James Brown, Ian Moore and Richie Barker started up front.
AZ started the game brightly with 2 corners in the first 10 minutes, they had Pools on the back foot and were on the attack until a ball bobbled loose and was played forward to James Brown. Brownie ran from the half way line and went past several AZ defenders before losing possession.
From this Alkmaar broke and tore through the Pools defence, one of their attackers went one on one with Jan Budtz but the keeper pulled off a brilliant save to keep the scores level. James Brown again looked sharp down the right and was clattered to the floor in the box, it looked like a penalty but the ref waved the shouts away.
Brown was substituted shortly after this but hopefully this was just as a precaution rather than an injury, Joel Porter replaced him. Pools went close through Gary Liddle, a good cross from the right found Liddle in the middle and he powered a header at goal.
Ian Moore had a volley just go wide of the target but AZ went close once again, a cross caused problems in the Pools box and was cleared off the line by the defence. The referee blew the whistle for half time. AZ were perhaps the better side but Pools never let the pace of the AZ side overwhelm them.
HT: Hartlepool 0-0 AZ
Pools kept the same side for the second half and looked superior to their Dutch counterparts after Danny Wilson made several substitutions on the hour mark. Richie Humphreys had a long range effort and Pools looked in control, however AZ scored against the run of play.
Jan Budtz rolled out the ball to Ali Gibb in the right back position but Gibb took too long on the ball and was dispossessed, Haris Medunjanin slotted the ball past Jan Budtz. Pools recovered quickly and David Foley went on a mazy run before being hacked down on the edge of the box.
Richie Humphreys hit the free kick into the wall and the rebound was skied over the bar. Another attack from Pools and David Foley found himself with a one on one against the keeper but the AZ keeper smothered his effort. AZ went close, an AZ shot went just wide of Budtz`s goal.
A Richie Humphreys cross into the box created problems for AZ and Gary Liddle stabbed the ball home from close range. This goal was more than deserved and the referee brought the game to a close after 2 minutes of stoppage time.
HT: Hartlepool 1-1 AZ
Comment
AZ were a very good side and this showed but Pools held their own and were the better side in the second half. Godwin Antwi was very impressive at centre half, Ben Clark looked comfortable in midfield and James Brown was a big threat before he went off injured. Even Jan Budtz, who has already come in for stick from fans, looked assured in goal.
We looked better when Wilson brought the ‘old guard’ on from the bench, Humphreys and Robson did well. Ali Gibb was poor at right back and must never play there again, ever.
Teams
Pools: Budtz, McCunnie (Gibb 60), Elliott (Robson 60), Clark (Boland 60), Nelson, Antwi, Sweeney (Humphreys 60), Brown (Porter 30), Barker (Foley 60), Moore, Liddle
Subs Not Used: Lee-Barrett
AZ Alkmaar: Waterman, Jaliens, Pocognoli (Agustien 46), Jenner (Vormer 70), Ari (Koevermans 59), Martens (Moelhoek 70), Donk, Dembele, de Zeeuw (Opdam 70), Medunjan, Steinsson
Subs Not Used: Romero, Pelle
