Hartlepool United survived in League One for another season, despite a 4-1 drubbing at Bristol Rovers
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What is it with Hartlepool United. A 5 goal swing was unlikely. But they like to put their fans on the edge and after only 7 minutes they were losing by 2 goals. Rovers attacked from kick-off and got in Pools faces.
David Pipe and Charlie Reece combined and Reece swung the ball at Budtz, Budtz saved but the ball stayed alive and Jo Kuffour was on hand to lift the ball over the Dane.
And it got worse for Pools minutes later. Rovers pounded forward again, and Darryl Duffy played the ball to Stuart Campbell who walked past a standing Sam Collins and Michael Nelson, and slotted the ball home. The unthinkable was now becoming a reality.
Then news filtered through that Carlisle were one up against Millwall. The goals swing difference was now just 2. Rovers attacked again and threatened Pools at every possible attempt. Duffy and Reece had attempts but Budtz kept the hosts at bay.
Pools then began, slowly but surely come into the game. The quick tempo from Rovers soon faded. Antony Sweeney had an effort drift wide after good work from Matty Robson.
And then it was Robson who provided Pools goal. Robson whipped a cross in for Nardiello who’s shot cannoned off the bar, Monkhouse had a header fall for Daniel Nardiello again, but his second shot was blocked, but at the third attempt, he notched the ball past Phillips.
The Morris Dancers and Crocodiles went wild in the away end and all of a sudden it felt like Pools were winning. Pools pressed for the equaliser. Nardiello saw his shot drift over the bar and onto the roof of the net. Monkhouse and Sweeney twice had shots blocked but half-time came and Rovers went into half time leading, but Pools on top.
HT: Bristol Rovers 2 Hartlepool 1
The half time pies had hardly been touched before Rovers extended their lead. A standstill Pools defence watched Duffy play a neat ball into the defence, but Rickie Lambert spotted Nelson and Collins standing, and netted the ball past Budtz.
Then it was 4-1. Humiliation for Pools as Aaron Lescott strolled past Nelson and Collins yet again and Budtz picked the ball up out of the net and hearts were in mouths.
Antony Sweeney couldn’t believe it and was quite rightly upset and annoyed with Nelson and Collins. And just as before Carlisle extended their lead. Relegation was now a clear possibility. A nervy Ritchie Humphreys was standing away from the dug-out in a tense state, which reflected what Pools fans were feeling.
Nelson then was substituted, with-out applauding Pools excellent travelling army. 6 years of football in a Pools shirt looks over for Nelson, and Ritchie Humphreys made away for him. Ben Clark dropped into Centre half, with Humphreys sitting in the middle.
Within a minute of Humphreys arrival, Pools got into Rovers’ faces. He was spraying the ball across the midfield and almost set up Nardiello but Rovers cleared the danger.
Nardiello looked to score with minutes remaining, but his effort was sent wide of the goal. Northampton had just conceded a third and Pools were safe.
A disappointing afternoon for Pools, but survival ensured, and the superb 457 Pools fans could go home planning trips to Charlton and Exeter and not Accrington Stanley and Burton Albion.
FT: Bristol Rovers 4 Hartlepool 1
Comment
The unthinkable came true at 5 past 4. Fingernails were dropping like flies but despite another shameful defensive display, Northampton’s defeat at Elland Road has secured trips to Charlton, Southampton, Exeter, Wycombe, Brentford and newly relegated Norwich.
But now we await the retained list and the appointment of a new manager. The rebuilding has already started with Adam Boyd’s return, and Dimi Konstantopolous expected to sign a 12 month loan late this week. A season that was supposed to be a celebratory one, has ended on a very sour note.
MOM: Daniel Nardiello
A very hard decision. Not because the Pools players were equally outstanding. Few stood out, few, if not one, showed passion and willingness to earn themselves new contracts. But this accolade has to go to front-man Daniel Nardiello. He scored Pools only goal and was lively throughout.
He missed a glorious chance at the end but his recent displays, should surely earn him the chance, to be offered a permanent deal at Victoria Park. We sit and eagerly await.
Teams
Pools: Budtz, Liddle, Nelson (Humphreys 69), Collins, Skarz, Jones (Rowell 78), Sweeney, Clark, Robson, Monkhouse, Nardiello
Subs Not Used: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Mackay
Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Pipe (Disley 59), Elliott, Anthony, Lescott, Reece (Rigg 76), Campbell, Lines, Duffy, Kuffour (Hunt 69), Lambert
Subs Not Used: St. Louis-Hamilton,Kite
