Report: Pools 1 County 1

Hartlepool United boss Danny Wilson recalled Ritchie Humphreys to his starting line up after his return from a one month loan spell at Port Vale for Saturday’s home game with Stockport County. Club captain Michael Barron started at right back will Danny Williams missing the game due to an injury he collected in the first half of the defeat at Lincoln.

As I entered the ground I noticed the sprinklers were on in the end closest to the away fans, presumably earlier they were on in the opposite end as well, a request from Danny Wilson maybe? On a standard October day there seemed little reason to be watering the pitch. Anyway down to business, Pools lost the toss and once again started the game kicking towards the home fans in the Town End stand. Pools lined up 4-4-2, Konstantopoulos, Humphreys, Clark, Nelson and Barron across the back, Robson, Liddle, Boland and Gibb in midfield, Porter and former County player Jon Daly lead the attack.

The first action of the game came along in the 6th minute, Pools winger Alistar Gibb battled away down the right wing, he eventually managed to get a decent cross into the box but there was no Pools player on hand to convert the delivery. On 11 minutes Jon Daly found his way into the referee’s notebook, Daly went in with Stockport’s keeper and although he did catch him with his foot the ball was most certainly in open play and Daly had a right to go for it. Within 60 second Tes Bramble (yes brother of the useless Titus) picked up a booking for arriving late and clattering into Michael Nelson, big mistake Tes!

On 24 minutes Konstantopoulos had to be on his toes to dive low to his left and keep out a decent long distance drive, the resulting corner was headed clear by Ritchie Humphreys at the front post. Just on the half hour market Ben Clark headed a Stockport free kick behind for a corner kick, captain Michael Barron put the delivery behind for a second corner, Adam Griffin whipped in a lovely ball to the front post and the ball ended up in the back of the Pools net. From my view at the opposite end of the ground it looked like the ball might have gone straight in, but apparently Konstantopoulos may have got a touch as well. Either way it was a goal which should have been easily avoidable.

On 35 minutes Pools were awarded a free kick, the delivery was put behind for a Pools corner from which Jon Daly rose well but headed wide of the target. In the 37th minute Pools were denied a stonewall penalty, Joel Porter was absolutely flattened inside the penalty area, the defender involved good well of been facing a GBH charge, however referee Mike Pike decided Porter should have been able to play on with the County defender sat on his back and waved away Pools loud appeals.

Justice was done just five minutes later, Gibb played the ball to Porter who with his back to goal on the edge of the 18 yard box and goal line managed to chip the ball up and then knock it over his towards the back post, little Matty Robson lept like a salmon to reach the ball and nod it over the goal line. After four minutes of injury time the ‘referee’ blew for half time.

Half Time: Hartlepool United 1 Stockport County 1

The second half was only four minutes old when the first change of the game occured. Pools boss Danny Wilson brought on Michael Maidens for Alistar Gibb, presumably Gibb had picked up some sort of injury and was taken off as a precaution. On 55 minutes Joel Porter did well to control the ball and get a decent shot away, but the very dodgy looking John Ruddy managed to hold the ball at the second attempt.

Matty Robson set off on one of those driving runs two minutes later, he played a neat one two with Porter on the edge of the box but then drove a powerful shot three miles wide of the Stockport goal. In the 65th minute Ben Clark headed a right wing corner against the post as Pools moved up a gear in search of a second goal.

As the second half wore on to be honest either side could have taken the lead. Every team I’ve seen come to the Vic this season has sat back and tried to frustrate us, credit to Stockport they attacked at just about every opportunity and looked extremely motivated and fired up.

In the 81st minute Michael Nelson drove a shot across the face of goal after a Pools corner landed at his feet. Danny Wilson made his second change as Willie Boland was replaced by David Foley. With just a minute of normal time remaining Porter set up Foley for a great chance, but the youngster but his effort wide and he is still waiting for his first senior goal for the club. In the final minute of normal time Pools counter attacked down the left, David Foley raced towards goal but his run was blocked but the keeper, Joel Porter lofted the loose ball goalwards but his effort came back off the cross bar.

Wilson was forced to make his final change in stoppage time as Porter limped off and was replaced with Lee Bullock. In the third minute of injury time Michael Maidens put the final chance of the game wide and referee Pikey blew for full time.

Full Time: Hartlepool United 1 Stockport County 1

Back to our problems in front of goal then, after the free scoring month of September we seem to have reverted back to our old selves. Daly had chances, Porter had chances, Foley had chances yet the only Pools goal of the game was a header from the smallest player on the pitch.

We are destined to play out this season in a midtable position if we fail to convert the chances which we are making. Once again I give credit to Stockport though, they came to play football, which was refreshing, I was beginning to think the aim of every fourth division side to visit the Vic would be to avoid defeat at all costs.

Hartlepool United: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Gibb (Maidens 49), Boland (Foley 86), Liddle, Robson, Daly, Porter (Bullock 89)
Subs not used: Provett, Brackstone

Stockport County: Ruddy, Griffin, Owen, Clare, Williams, Briggs (Allen 77), Dinning, Taylor, Poole, Le Fondre, Bramble (Dickinson 76)
Subs not used: Spencer, Robinson, Malcolm


Attendance: 4372 (280 flag waving Stockport fans)
Referee: Mike Pike (Cumbria)