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.
Capping off the first week of our season review, December is the month on the agenda. With the artic weather threatening games across the country, Pools became a snow joke with a string of humiliations.
November brought Cup shocks, and thrown away leads, but Pools had the perfect chance to respond in the festive month, with a target of 32 points being set by Pools fans.
Carlisle Cool Iceman, Pools Tame Lions
Carlisle United 3-2 Hartlepool United
On a chilly evening in Cumbria, Pools fell to defeat against Carlisle United. Armann Bjornsson made his first start for Pools, and was on the score sheet within minutes.
Pools battled away, looking for the second goal, but Ian Harte pulled the scores level. Carlisle fought back, and were unlucky not to go into half time leading.
But it didn’t take longer for the hosts to make the game their own. Matty Robson was proving a threat all game, but it was his midfield team mate, Tom Taiwo who made it 2-1. The on loan Chelsea man struck past Flinders and into the net.
It was written in the scripts that Robson would score, but it wasn’t written in the scripts that Flinders would unluckily drop a clanger. Robson crossed the ball in, but Flinders misjudged, and the ball trickled into the net. Andy Monkhouse scored a late consolation, but it wasn’t to be for Pools, as they succumbed to their third defeat in a row.
Man of the Match: Armann Bjornsson
Hartlepool United 3-0 Millwall
After the unwanted record of the losing streak totting up, Pools had the perfect chance to put an end to their recent misery, at home to out of form Millwall.
Steve Morrison saw an early header hit the underside of the bar, with Flinders running all over the shop. But before long, Peter Hartley broke the deadlock, striking low past the keeper. With Pools well on top the low crowd were being treated to a decent game of football.
Just under 3000 Poolies were present, something later Ken Hodcroft said ‘was a cause for concern’. But on the field, Adam Boyd sneaked the ball into the net almost unnoticed after a teasing ball from Sam Collins.
Armann Bjornsson then made it three, with his second in as many games, and with Pools cruising hopes of a cricket score were coming more and more realistic. But the pre half time ambitions never quite came to fruition, but it was a welcome and comfortable win.
Man of the match: Gary Liddle
James Brown struck a dagger through the hearts of Pools in the midst of the opening games of the month, with the news that he suffered yet another knee injury. He spent up to three months in James Haycocks rooms. and it was a deep blow considering Browny was just beginning to return to form after a slight dip.
Pools Chuck Away Lead:
Southend United 3-2 Hartlepool United
Pools arrived on the south east coast full of confidence, but returned home to the Vic with plenty of questions to answer. Adam Boyd turned and volleyed Pools into the lead after just 10 minutes, sending the travelling Poolies wild. After Southend threatened, Pools were remaining stern, and Scott Flinders had a very good first half.
The Shrimpers were looking to exploit Pools’ weak link Peter Hartley, but couldn’t quite use that to their full advantage. With over thirty minutes on the clock, Andy Monkhouse saw a deflected effort evade the defence and the goalkeeper and give Pools a 2-0 lead.
What was to come in the second half, still rifles me to this day now, some five months on. Andy Monkhouse cleared off the line seconds after the restart, but the impressive Francis Laurent halved the deficit despite Ritchie Humphreys’ best efforts.
But before long, Southend were in front. A comical mistake in defence, fed the ball through to Lee Barnard, who tapped in one of the easiest goals he will ever score. By this point, Pools fans were furious, it was a shame the players couldn’t respond. Barnard them headed into an empty goal, as the day turned from bad to worse.
Ritchie Jones was Pools’ only bright spark in the second half, but their was no late surge from Pools, just late lunges. Ben Clark saw red, for two bookable offences, even though he had only just came on.
A very poor defeat, that is best kept to the record books only.
Snow Storm Holds Pools, Referee Cheats Pools:
Hartlepool United 1-1 Yeovil Town
The first batch of the snow returned to Britain, that brought a month of chaos, with the snow refusing to leave. Pools saw their game with Yeovil go ahead, but it proved to be a cold and chilly afternoon on the terraces.
The game wasn’t up to much, and the both nets remained goal free until the hour hour mark. Williams broke the deadlock for the visitors after good work down the side.. Pools hounded the Glovers the second half though, Boydy going very close with a great effort. Monkhouse smashed in a 67th minute leveller, reflecting what Pools deserved.
Andy Monkhouse had the chance to grab a late winner, but it was the artic weather that was the winner, with neither side able to break through the icey conditions.
Man of the Match: Peter Hartley
Leeds United 3-1 Hartlepool United
The Christmas cheer was replaced by sour grapes 24 hours later, as Pools made the short trip to Leeds for this fiery Boxing Day trip.
Neil Austin cleared off the line, to prevent early red faces, and after shots from both sides were denied, Bjornsson grabbed his third goal for Pools, after tucking away the ball after a corner ball found him unmarked.
Adam Boyd nearly doubled Pools’ lead and silence the 30,000 crowd, after a great effort, but the excellent Ankergren tipped the ball wide. Beckford nearly punished Flinders for slipping a catch, but Pools were proving tough.
But theirs always one man who can find ways past Pools – the referee. In a truly shambolic display, the ref had a part in all three of the Leeds’ goals. Beckford got the better of a goal mouth scramble, arriving from a dubious free-kick.
The stewards and Police then made their own enemies, sparking a needless fight in the away end and chucking many out, and Pools chucked away yet another lead. Argentine Becchio got on the end of a free-kick and lobbed the defence, but Gary Liddle did the rest knocking into his own net.
The great nature banter continued between both supporters, but the on field actions weren’t good natured. Tempers were flaring, and Leeds won the game through Beckford beating the offside trap. But that goal should never had stood. The goal came through a free-kick, that was hilariously awarded against Pools, despite Sweeney being dragged down to the floor.
A terrible referee performance, but Pools showed enough to give their supporters hope.
Monthly Review Comment: December
Pools defied the weather on one occasion, but couldn’t the second time, as the festive month loved up to its name. On the pitch, things were turning bad, with more poor performances, and less points being picked up. The moans were getting louder.
Man of the Match: Adam Boyd
The Oldham game scheduled for the 28/12/2009 was postponed due to the think snow lying on the surface of the Vic. The weather was playing havoc around the country, and it was Pools’ first home cancellation since 2004.
Player of the Month: Armann Bjornsson The iceman was terrific in December, posing some excellent flicks and proving a decent target man. He also chucked in with his fair share of goals, as Pools seemed to unearth another Scandinavian gem.
Game of the Month: Leeds United 3-1 Hartlepool United
Goal of the Month: Adam Boyd’s excellent opening goal against Southend. After receiving the ball, he spun around, and volleyed the ball thundering its way into the net.
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