Hartlepool United?s very own tinker man Martin Scott shuffled his pack once again for this afternoon?s visit of Sean O?Driscoll?s AFC Bournemouth. Added to the squad were fit again Hugh Robertson and crowd favourite Darrell Clarke. The inclusion of Clarke was well received on the Victoria Park terraces after the midfielder?s injury nightmare. Clarke?s last appearance for Pools was in the away leg of the 2003/2004 play off semi final away at Bristol City.
So Pools lined up with Dimitrious Konstantopolous in goal, Hugh Robertson made his first start of the campaign at left back, Michael Nelson, Neill Collins and Michael Barron made up the remainder of the defence. In the absence of the injured Thomas Butler Ritchie Humphreys started at left wing with Ben Clark named alongside Tony Sweeney at the expense of Mark Tinkler in the centre, Steven Istead was a surprise inclusion on the right wing with Eifion Williams like Tinkler out of the squad completely. Up front Dean McDonald and Chris Llewellyn were again the chosen forward partnership.
The game kicked off with Pools attacking the Rink End which housed the 116 visiting Bournemouth fans. Pools started brightly as we have done for quiet a few home games this season, the first notable chance of the game didn?t come along until the 14th minute. Hugh Robertson floated in a free kick from the right, the cross was a little deep but Ritchie Humphreys managed to put it back into the area, on loan Dean McDonald did well to chest the ball down but his volley was straight into the body of Stewart in the visitors goal. Two minutes later and a quick Bournemouth counter attack was cut out by Michael Nelson, the resulting corner was well cleared by Ben Clark.
Just before the half hour mark some excellent play down the left wing saw Ritchie Humphreys collect the ball inside the 18 yard box, however the wingers effort flew high over the cross bar. Moments later Hugh Robertson unleashed a drive but the hammer was off target as the ball screwed wide right of the target.
On 28 minutes Pools deservedly took the lead, a Robertson corner was flicked onto the far post by the head of Neill Collins, the ball rebounded back to Steven Istead who it over the line for the opening goal of the game. Three minutes later and Pools could have been two goals up, Dean McDonald unleashed a low shot which smacked off the post.
Pools goal seemed to wake Bournemouth up as the visitors finally started to put a few passes together. Konstantopolous was on hand to cut out a cross at his front post as the visitors created their best chance of the game so far. However within 60 seconds Pools lead was doubled. Dean McDonald received the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box and he drove a powerful low shoot past Stewart, the ball seemed to go under Stewart?s body, not that Deano cared as he celebrated opening his Pools account.
Just before the break there was one final chance for Bournemouth, a free kick from just inside Pools half was sent goalwards by the head of Steve Fletcher, but Konstantopolous clawed the effort away to maintain Pools two goal lead as the referee blew for half time.
No changes during half time as the sides returned to the Victoria Park pitch. Bournemouth started the half looking like they had a bit of a talking too during the break, just two minutes after the restart and Konstantopolous saved well at his front post.
Pools balance looked good, Ben Clark was performing well in the centre of midfield and Hugh Robertson looked as if he?d never been away. Bournemouth were causing problems down the left wing though with Steven Istead and Micky Barron struggling to cut out a stream of crosses.
And it was one of those left wing cross which resulted in the visitors getting back into the game. In the 68th minute Steven Foley powered a shot past Konstantopolous after the ball was put into his path from the left wing. No complaints, a good cross and a lovely finish. Martin Scott responded by make a double change, off went Steven Istead and Ben Clark with Darrell Clarke and Darren Williams coming on. Shortly after the first two changes Scott made his final change as Dean McDonald was replaced by Jon Daly.
Bournemouth continued to push forward looking for an equaliser but the best piece of football all game came from Pools and Ritchie Humphreys should have finished the move off with Pools third goal. Darrell Clarke and Jon Daly combined brilliantly down the right wing, Clarke put the ball over to Humphreys who saw a low shot well saved by Stewart.
In the final minute of normal time Bournemouth won a corner kick after a mazy run was ended by Darren Williams putting the ball behind, the delivery was too long and thankfully Konstantopolous claimed the second cross. After three minutes of injury time the referee brought the game to a close.
Pools were forced to hold on a little at the end, but the overall performance was much improved and we finally grabbed a couple of goals. It was great to see Hugh Robertson play the full ninety minutes and he looked very comfortable throughout the game. Darrell Clarke received the best reception of the afternoon as he came on for Steven Istead and he was involved in Pools best move of the afternoon as well. Plenty of plus points and a lot for Martin Scott and Steve Agnew to build on.
Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Collins, Robertson, Istead (Clarke 71), Clark (Darren Williams 71), Sweeney, Humphreys, Llewellyn, McDonald (Daly 78).
Subs Not Used: Proctor, Provett.
Booked: Barron.
Goals: Istead 28, McDonald 39.
Bournemouth: Stewart, O’Connor, Cooper, Young (Keene 88), Hart, Foley, Stock, Browning (Cooke 76), Surman, Hayter, Fletcher (Rodrigues 88).
Subs Not Used: Moss, Purches.
Booked: Young.
Goals: Foley 68.
Att: 3,755. (116 Bournemouth fans)
Ref: P Robinson (E Yorkshire).
