The relegation trap door is wide open and I’m afraid I have to say Pools have put a foot over the threshold this afternoon. A must win game and Pools went into the break two goals down, where was the fight? The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, Eifion Williams did grab a goal back on 83 minutes but by then it was too little too late.
Caretaker manager Paul Stephenson made three changes for this afternoon?s visit of Gary Johnson?s Bristol City, one was enforced as the suspended Darren Williams was replaced by club captain Michael Barron. The other two changes saw Michael Proctor drop down to the bench with Eifion Williams lining up alongside Adam Boyd in attack, and Hugh Robertson made a rare start at left back with Ritchie Humphreys pushed forward to left wing, Michael Maidens dropped out of the 16 altogether.
The game kicked off in sunny conditions inside Victoria Park with Pools playing towards the visiting Bristol City fans. The opening period saw both sides continually hit the ball high towards their forwards, a tactic which certainly doesn?t utilise the skills of Adam Boyd or Eifion Williams.
In the 13th minute Pools Dimitrious Konstantopolous raced off his line to try and clear a long punt forward, McCammon got a touch on the ball before Konstantopolous but Michael Nelson was on hand to clear the danger.
A minute later and the visitors took the lead, McCammon slowly made his way to the edge of the box with the Pools defence backing off, eventually Ben Clark got a challenge in but the loose ball found it?s way to David Noble who steered the ball past Konstantopolous and into the back of the Pools net off the far post.
Pools first corner on 16 minutes saw Stephen Turnbull drive well wide. The atmosphere inside the Vic was subdued as Pools continued to struggle and City seemed to be treating the game as a practice match.
On 23 minutes a right wing cross was met by Lee Bullock but Bossu caught Bullock?s header on the goal line. There was no power in Bullock?s header but at least it was an effort on target!
Just before the half hour mark Thomas Butler drove towards goal but with only the keeper to beat he shot early from outside the box and his effort screwed well wide. A long Ritchie Humphreys throw found it?s way to Michael Nelsons feet, the big central defender hammered a shot but a Bristol defender threw himself in front of the shot.
Lee Bullock had another shot on goal on 31 minutes, but again it was an early shot and again if flew well wide of the target. No Pools player seemed to have the composure to drive into the box and place a shot past the visiting keeper, or even got a shot on target.
On 38 minutes City doubled their lead. McCammon held the ball up on the right wing and headed towards the penalty area, the big striker kept his head and picked out Alex Russell who arrived late unmarked and side footed past Konstantopolous, a simple goal.
In first half injury time Pools were awarded a free kick after an obstruction on Adam Boyd. Hugh Robertson delivered the ball into the box but Lee Bullock headed over the cross bar.
Half Time: Hartlepool United 0 Bristol City 2
Paul Stephenson looked to have sent his side out from the half time break a few minutes early, perhaps a few frank words had been spoken during the break. Stephenson made a change to his side with Lee Bullock making way for Matty Robson.
On 52 minutes a block on Eifion Williams saw Hugh Robertson line up another free kick, this time Robertson got a good shot on target but Bossu took the ball well.
Craig Woodman picked up a booking on 69 minutes for bringing down Thomas Butler, Hugh Robertson again placed the ball for the free kick, this time he drove into the Pools fans in the Town End stand!
Paul Stephenson made his second change as Adam Boyd made way for James Brown. As the half wore on Pools huffed and puffed but looked devoid of ideas and lacking in any sort of confidence. Stephenson made his third and final change as the tiring Hugh Robertson was replaced by Michael Proctor.
On 83 minutes Matty Robson whipped in a cross from the left wing and Eifion Williams bundled the ball home. All of a sudden there looked to be a chance of a point, two minutes later and a long punt forward by Michael Nelson saw Michael Proctor just fail to connect on the edge of the 6 yard box.
With three minutes of injury time signalled Pools continued to hit the ball long in the hope of grabbing an equaliser. Eifion Williams scuff a shot at the back post with just Bossu to beat, in the final minute Pools won a corner kick and Konstantopolous was sent up, the ball was delivered into the box but headed clear and the referee brought the game to a close.
Hartlepool United 1 Bristol City 2
Defeat is bad enough, but the manner of the defeat leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, Pools went down without a fight, the final 7 minutes was far too little and far too late. Yes we?ve had two long away games before this one, but with our League One status hanging by a thread I expected a blood and thunder performance from Pools. What we got was nothing of the sort, no ideas, no fight, no points.
Hartlepool United: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Robertson (Proctor 78), Nelson, Humphreys, Boyd (Brown 61), Eifion Williams, Clark, Bullock (Robson 46), Butler, Turnbull.
Subs Not Used: Craddock, Provett.
Bristol City: Basso, Carey, Cotterill, Russell, Wilkshire, Woodman, Orr, McCammon (Savage 90), Brown (Keogh 85), Fontaine, Noble.
Subs Not Used: Green, Abbey, Lamb.
Attendance: 5,039
Refereee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire)
Share this article
Related Articles
