Report: Pools 1 Rovers 2

Hartlepool United have to settle for second place in the League Two table after play off bound Bristol Rovers came from a goal behind to collect all three points at a packed Victoria Park this afternoon.

Danny Wilson recalled Ben Clark to the centre of the Pools defence as Michael Nelson was ruled out with a knee injury. Garry Liddle partnered Clark as Tony Sweeney lined up alongside Willie Boland in the centre of midfield. Joel Porter started his first game of 2007 up front with Eifion Williams and David Foley started on the left wing in the place of Andy Monkhouse.

With a capacity crowd inside the Vic the game kicked off in glorious conditions. The visitors created the first chance of the game when Lambert drove a shot over Dimi Konstantopoulos but over the Pools cross bar as well. On 6 minutes Haldane cut inside Richie Humphreys and worked his way into the Pools penalty area, but his promising run was capped off with a weak shot which Konstantopoulos collected with ease.

With 15 minutes on the watch James Brown controlled the ball well but drove a shot across the face of goal and out for a goal kick. 60 seconds later and David Foley was back in the Pools six yard box to clear a scramble in front of Pools goal. Five minutes later and Willie Boland sent a dipped shot towards goal but Phillips was equal to the effort and tipped it over the cross bar.

On 23 minutes Pools were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal, Richie Humphreys drove the ball low along the ground but again Phillips did well and pushed the ball wide. Humphreys sent the set piece into the six yard box but it was well taken by Phillips.

Just after the half hour mark Pools took the lead, James Brown slide the ball through the static visitors defence and Joel Porter calmly slotted the ball home for his sixth goal of the season. On 40 minutes Eifion Williams met a right wing cross with a decent header, but his effort was straight into the welcoming arms of Phillips.

The referee ended the first half after just over two minutes of additional time. Pools had looked comfortable throughout the opening period and went into the break looking well in control.

Half Time: Hartlepool United 1 Bristol Rovers 0

The second half started with a double change for Rovers, off went Carruthers and Haldane with Igoe and Rigg coming on. Two minutes after the restart Tony Sweeney drove an effort into the Town End. 9 minutes into the half and the referee was pointing to the penalty spot, Willie Boland had fouled Craig Disley to hand the visitors a lifeline. Richard Walker drove the ball straight into the back of the net. News filtered through that Swindon had taken the lead against Walsall so despite the leveling goal at the Vic Pools were still top of the table.

On 59 minutes Danny Wilson made his first change of the game as James Brown was replaced by debutant Michael Mackay, what a day to make your debut! Not long after his introduction Mackay was in the thick of the action as he drove a shot low into the side netting. Two minutes later and David Foley hammered a shot against the Rovers cross bar as Pools tried to regain their lead.

Danny Wilson made a second change as Eifion Williams was replaced by Ali Gibb on 79 minutes. Michael Mackay sent a lovely effort into the back of the net on 81 minutes but the referees assistant had his flag raised for offside. Disaster struck of Pools on 86 minutes as a right wing cross was planted past Konstantopoulos by Rickie Lambert, the visiting fans went wild, the home fans held their collective heads in their hands.

Danny Wilson ordered Ben Clark to go up field and Pools started the pelt balls into the Rovers penalty, but it wasn’t to be and there was no equalising goal to come. After four minutes of injury time the referee brought the game to a close and the Championship dream was over.

Full Time: Hartlepool United 1 Bristol Rovers 2

As it happens Walsall equalised at the County Ground two minutes into injury time, even if Pools had got a draw it still wouldn’t have been enough. It’s been a long hard season and the lads have given their all, playing without Nelson, Monkhouse and Barker was always going to be difficult, and so it proved.

The celebrating after the game was a little muted, but the ultimate aim for the season has still been achieved. We may not be crowned Champions but we still have League One to look forward to next season, Leeds, Huddersfield, Brighton, Luton, Swansea, Carlisle etc etc.

Well done to all at Hartlepool United, from Ken Hodcroft, Chris Turner and Danny Wilson all the way down to the groundsman who was honoured for keeping the best pitch in the division once again. It’s been a cracking season and I can’t wait for 2007/2008 back in League One.


Hartlepool United:
Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Liddle, Clark, Humphreys, Brown (Mackay 59), Boland, Sweeney, Foley, Eifion Williams (Gibb 79), Porter (Bullock 89).
Subs Not Used: Barron, Tinkler.

Bristol Rovers:
Phillips, Ryan Green, Anthony, Elliott, Carruthers (Igoe 46), Jacobson, Disley, Campbell, Haldane (Rigg 46), Lambert, Walker (Lines 90).
Subs Not Used: Mike Green, Parrinello.

Attendance: 7,629 (960)
Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire)