Hartlepool United 2009/10 Season Review (Part 1)

Vital Hartlepool Season Review 2009/10

For the next two weeks Vital Hartlepool will be running an exclusive review of last season, and we will be reliving the great moments, the not so great moments, and the headlines.

We will review every month in depth, looking back on every game and also revisiting the stories that caught attention back then.

In today’s Part 1, we take you back to August 2009, and with 9 new players drafted in, expectations were high. Would it be a season of joy, or another season of misery.

August 2009

MK Halted, Coventry Embarrassed

MK Dons 0-0 Hartlepool United

The curtain raiser for the season for Hartlepool was an away tie at Milton Keynes Dons. A new look squad would have to find a way past Paul Ince’s men – who were tipped for great things. MK Dons dominated proceedings at the Stadium MK, and debutant Scott Flinders denied Jason Puncheon from a free-kick with a spectacular save.

Hartlepool continued to battled bravely and were rewarded for their stubbornness earning a goalless draw, sending the travelling Hartlepool fans with a smile on their faces.

As our reporter Tom said; ”Bearing in mind MK Dons have an excellent squad and are expected to be at the top of the division, Hartlepool can go home extremely pleased with themselves after what was a professional performance.”

Man of the Match: Peter Hartley

League Cup (aet) Coventry City 0-1Hartlepool United

After a great start to the league campaign, Hartlepool started their cup campaign with a tricky game away to Championship side Coventry City.

It was an even game at the Ricoh Arena, with both sides cancelling one another out. The visitors defence proved tough once more, and intended on keeping a second successive clean sheet. The deadlock couldn`t be broken in normal time, which required an extra 30 minutes. Adam Boyd was drafted on from the bench, and he scored the winner for Pools with a volley which sent Coventry spiralling out of the cup, and sent Pools through to the next round. A great result for Pools, it was looking like the team had already gelled.

Man of the Match: Scott Flinders

Classy Charlton And Pirates Prove Too Much

Hartlepool United 0-2 Charlton Athletic

Hartlepool’s first home game of the season was greeted with an electric feel after the promising start to the campaign. 6 new players made their home debuts in front of the Vic crowd taking on newly relegated Charlton Athletic.

Pools started brightly, with Denis Behan having the better of the opening exchanges. However the buzz went flat as Deon Burton opened the scoring for the visitors. The swirling wind caught Steve Haslam’s clearance leaving the defence in sixes and sevens, and Burton chipped the ball into the net, making it the first goal Flinders had conceded in more than 230 minutes.

It was to get worse for Pools as Nicky Bailey doubled the deficit for Charlton after good work for highly-rated Jonjo Shelvey.

Pools didn’t really offer much threat in the latter period, mainly thanks to Phil Parkinson organising his troops very well, and proving difficult to break down. The scoreline soon turned to result, as Pools fell to their first defeat of the season.

Man of the Match: Denis Behan

Hartlepool United 1-2 Bristol Rovers

And, one defeat was soon to turn two defeats. Bristol Rovers came to the Vic on the back of a good start, and were made to work very hard all night. Denis Behan notched Pools in front on the half-hour mark, but Rovers fought back – in super quick time.

With less than 5 minutes till the interval, Arran Lescott and Kuffour struck a goal each to turn the tale on its head. Pools battered the Gasheads in the second half, smashing the woodwork on numerous occasions. Behan had an effort from a tough angle rattle the bar, whilst Leon McSweeney nearly got on the end of a pin-point cross, but it wasn’t to be for Pools.

Man of the Match: Denis Behan

Gills Undone By Brilliant Brown

Gillingham 0-1 Hartlepool United

Hartlepool travelled south to Gillingham on a day when Britain was gripped by Ashes Fever at the Oval. Jonathan Trott was the national headline, but James Brown was the local headline after a sizzling effort was enough for Pools as they saw off the Gills.

On a sun baked afternoon, both teams struggled to get to grips with the heat and the ball in the first half, but Pools just edged the opening half. Sam Collins came the nearest with a first half header.

Pools came into their own in the second period, and Brown scored a corker to open the scoring. After receiving the ball, he danced, turned, and shot. The ball whizzed past the keeper, and into the top corner. A very professional display by Pools pleased all, and the future looked bright.

Man of the Match: Sam Collins

Pools Swallow Carling Pill

Hartlepool United 1-2 Burnley

Hartlepool followed up their brilliant away win by nearly knocking out Premier League boys Burnley in a thrilling game at Victoria Park. Pools battled hard all match, and even played Owen Coyle’s men off the park at times with some brilliant slick passing. As I said in my report after the game: The football was slick, the chances were continuously, the game was flying, the defensive was solid, it was like a glimpse of the play-off years.

Pools fans drowned their half time pints with a 1-0 lead looking very comfortable, and for long periods of the second half it could of doubled, but Steven Fletcher was introduced and showed why he had once attracted the attention of Real Madrid. He struck a low placed effort to level the scores before 90 minutes and the tie went into extra time. Fletcher then scored the vital winner later on to knock Pools cruelly out of the tournament.

Poor Pools Brushed Aside By Norwich

Hartlepool United 0-2 Norwich City

Michael Nelson returned to Pools, and went home very happy. Norwich were the visitors to the Vic, and inflicted a third home defeat in as a many games, causing some fans to worry at this early stage.

Hartlepool weren’t at the races and all the chances were mainly restricted to Norwich. The Canaries saw a few chances go wide of the mark as they stepped up the pressure. Michael Nelson volleyed in the opening goal, cheering in front of the jeers, before Stephen Hughes made it two after a defensive mix up. Pools controlled the ball for most of the game, but lacked energy, drive and had no front line service, defeat being the punishment for Pools.

Man of the Match: Gary Liddle

Monthly Review Comment:

The month brought many ups and downs for Pools. The Cup displays were pleasing and the away performances are certainly something to bring a smile to your face, but Pools sill awaited a Home League win.

But without dodging problems, Pools did face a tricky month, and the fact that they went to extra-time twice in a month won’t of helped the cause. The potential was there to see for everyone, with Pools playing neat football, but they lacked bite in the midfield, where they were often over run.

Fans were starting to express their anger, but looking at the teams Pools faced, and taking into account the performances, their wasn’t too much to worry about – despite the league standings suggesting otherwise.

Man Of The Month: Denis Behan

The Irish Hit-man became a real hit with Pools fans in his first month, with his flicks and build work causing problems to the oppositions defence. He also provides a lethal shot, something Joey Gudjohnson knows all about! The former Cork striker looked like a real bargain.

Game Of The Month: Hartlepool 1-2 Burnley (aet)

Goal Of The Month: James Brown`s winning curler on the edge of the box against Gillingham.