Hartlepool United 2009/10 Season Review (Part 4)

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 headliners.

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

In our fourth article of the season review, November is the focus for us. The month opened with the FA Cup before ending with two tricky ties.

October saw Hartlepool end the month unbeaten, and November didn’t bring many fixtures, but was the start of must win games, tough games, and expectations been drawn out.

November

Cup Agony As Cooper’s Minnows Knock Pools Out

F.A. CUP: Hartlepool United 0-1 Kettering

Last year Hartlepool United were the story of the F.A. Cup, in this years first round they were the laughing stock. In a poorly attended game, Mark Cooper brought his high-flying Kettering team to the Vic, and returned to the Midlands, with a tie with Leeds to look forward too.

Moses Ashikodi was the scorer of the only goal after just 16 minutes, after Hartlepool had had the better of the opening exchanges. However, Kettering were in front, and never looked like slipping hold of that, despite numerous chances falling Pools’ way. A disgrace some called the exit, but Pools had no excuses

Man Of The Match: Colin Larkin

Boydy To The Rescue
Hartlepool United 1-0 Leyton Orient

In a very eventful game at the Vic (Although the report suggests otherwise!) Hartlepool United snatched victory against Leyton Orient after Adam Boyd turned in a 81st minute winner.

In a fairly poor first half, the game came to life in the second period, with Pools recording no fewer that 10 attempts across the box. The ball was flying in from all angles, but on too many occasions, there was no one to convert the chance. Andy Monkhouse broke forward late on and smashed an effort off the bar to his and everyone else’s disbelief.

Adam Boyd had a poor game to usual against his ex club, but was the hero as he turned and back heeled the ball in from close range, to send the Pools fans wild.

Man Of The Match: Andy Monkhouse

Terriers Claim Win, Saints Go Marching On

Huddersfield Town 2-1 Hartlepool United

After the win last weekend against Leyton Orient, Pools were entertained at the Galpharm Stadium taking on free scoring Huddersfield. Lee Clark’s men had been unbeaten at home up until this game, and the Terriers demolished Gillingham the weekend before thrashing them 6-0.

It would take something very special for Pools to get one over the Terriers, but the key to a victory was, keep it tight, and convert chances were given to you. Gary Liddle did just that after twenty minutes rising highest to a free kick and nodding Pools in front. Hartlepool nearly doubled their lead minutes later, Adam Boyd scraping the post, but Pools went into the interval leading.

Gary Roberts smashed a free kick off the bar, that left the woodwork ringing for minutes to come. Jordan Rhodes had efforts to level the scores, but Peter Hartley then unluckily made it 1-1. A free kick rebounded off the leg of Peter Hartley and into the net.

Robbie Williams then sent the stadium into raptures as he skipped unchallenged past a heap of players, before driving the ball low into the net, to make it 2-1. The score line stayed the same, despite various attempts from both sides to change it, as Pools through away yet more points.

Man Of The Match: Ritchie Humphreys


Hartlepool United 1-3 Southampton

Pools returned to the Vic in confident mood after a good display against Huddersfield. The opponents were yet more fallen giants in the form of Southampton. Kicking towards the Town End in the first half, Pools started the match playing some great football. Quick, short sharp passing was ripping the Saints to pieces. Andy Monkhouse headed in from a ball from James Brown to give Pools a deserved lead.

The game then levelled out, with both sides comfortable on the ball, but both defences proving resilient. Adam Lallana though found away past the defence though, as he made it 1-1 soon after.

It was Lallana again when the Saints found the net once more, this time in superb fashion. After cutting in from the left, he unleashed a beauty of shot, that sent the ball spinning into the top corner. Denis Behan tried his hand at another bullet effort, but Kelvin Davis was there to sniff out the goal threat.

Scott Flinders then endured his most miserable moment in professional football. After the receiving the ball, he kicked the ball back out into the middle of the pitch, except he didn’t. He stumbled, was charge down by Rickie Lambert, the ball cannoned off Lambert who then rolled the ball in.

A scoreline that didn’t reflect the true outcome of the game.

Man Of The Match: Neil Austin

It may of been nearly 5 years ago now, but ask any Hartlepool United fan and they will still feel very bitter of that play off final. 8 minutes away from the Championship came crashing down, as Sheff Wed capitalised on a harshly given penalty. But, read here the mystery of a Play-Off Final Letter.

Hartlepool United legend Tony Parry passed away in the month of August leaving a sombre feeling around the club. Those fans that could remember the past idol shared their views on Pools’ first ever black player. Rocky Marshmallow wrote a personal tribute to his boyhood hero.

Monthly Review Comment:

A poor month in truth, with Pools crashing out to Kettering, and then needing a late winner to record the only win of the month. The month also started the trend of throwing away leads, a pattern that would wreck Pools’ season. The injury of James Brown was a killer blow, but Pools had games in December where they could make up for recent mistakes.

Behan Struck By 8 Week Injury

After Denis Behan was stretched off in the Southampton defeat, the next day Pools received the news that the striker was set for a 8 week spell on the treatment table. It was a killer blow for Pools, as Behan had been one of the star men in the opening third of the season

Game Of The Month: Huddersfield 2-1 Hartlepool United

Goal Of The Month: Andy Monkhouse’s header against Southampton, after finishing a terrific two touch move.

Player Of The Month: Andy Monkhouse Monky showed his ability in November, weaving in and out of defenders and providing a brilliant end product as usual.