Report: Pools 3 Wrexham 0

Jon Daly completed the most successfully week of his professional footballing career with a hat trick at Victoria Park this afternoon as Pools brushed Wrexham aside winning three goals to nil.

Hartlepool United boss Danny Wilson was forced into a change to his starting line up for this afternoon’s home game with Wrexham. Out of the team went the injured Tony Sweeney, Willie Boland lined up in the centre of midfield alongside Gary Liddle. After scoring nine goals in the previous two away games Pools were looking to show the home crowd the form that brought six points in the space of four days.

Pools lost the toss and were forced to start the first half kicking towards the home fans in the Town End stand, I presume Chris Llewellyn told Dennis Smith that Pools traditionally kick towards the away fans in the first half and the home fans in the second.

The game started slowly with the first chance not coming along until the 12th minute. Wrexham counter attacked quickly but Darren Williams did brilliantly to track back and clear the danger with a sliding tackle on the edge of the Pools penalty area. 60 seconds later and Joel Porter saw a low shot saved by Ingham.

In the 15th minute Pools won the first corner kick of the game, Alistar Gibb put the ball into the box but it was headed away from goal but only as far as John Brackstone, the youngster hit a great volley just inches wide of the Wrexham post. Five minutes later and Pools won their second corner, this time Brackstone swung the ball into the box and Jon Daly rose high to plant a firm header past Ingham for his fifth goal in the last three games.

From the restart Pools continued to press and the second goal came just three minutes later, Willie Boland overlapped well and found himself in behind the visitors defence. The experience Boland kept his head and calmly slotted the ball along the six yard box for Jon Daly to tap home and double Pools lead.

Just 23 minutes on the clock and Pools were already cruising in this game. On the half hour mark Joel Porter raced away with a Wrexham defender trying to keep up, Porter headed for goal but saw his side footed effort easily saved by Ingham, really Pools should have been three up, a great chance missed.

Danny Wilson was forced into his first substitution on 31 minutes as Gary Liddle was replaced with Lee Bullock. Liddle had picked up a knock early in the game and was unable to shake it off. On 35 minutes Daly had a chance to wrap up a first half hat trick. Pools counter attacked quickly and Matty Robson unselfishly pulled the ball back to the feet of Daly, however big Jon miskicked with his weaker left foot and Ingham collected.

After two minutes of injury time the referee brought a very satisifying first half to a close.

Half Time: Hartlepool United 2 Wrexham 0

The second half started with a change to the Wrexham line up. Off went Simon Spender with Mike Williams taking his place. Just 30 seconds after the restart the visitors had a chance to pull a goal back. A cross from the right was cut out by John Brackstone at the front post. The resulting corner was cleared by Michael Nelson.

On 52 minutes Jon Daly stretched for a right wing cross but his header was well off target. Wrexham were holding onto the ball for long periods of the second half with Pools seemingly happy for the visitors to probe midway inside the Pools half. On 65 minutes a Wrexham free kick was easily collected by Konstantopoulos.

On 68 minutes Pools were awarded a free kick out on the left touchline. John Brackstone swung the ball into the box and Jon Daly rose high to thump home his hat trick goal, what a turn around for a player who was struggling to hold down a first team place just a month ago.

On 72 minutes Wrexham central defender Steve Evans flattened Daly with an elbow into the strikers head, the referee decided the challenge warranted only a yellow card, Daly was unable to continue and left the pitch to have stitches in an open head wound. Eifion Williams came on to partner Joel Porter.

6 minutes from the end Danny Wilson made his third and final change as James Brown replaced the tiring Porter. A few niggling challenges were flying in as Wrexham struggled to make an impact in the game. After three minutes of injury time the referee blew and the perfect week was complete. Nine points, tweleve goals, stunning.

Full Time: Hartlepool United 3 Wrexham 0


The season started so disappointingly for Pools with the home defeat to Shrewsbury taking the club to a recent all time low. However credit must go to Danny Wilson and the players for sticking together and battling on, the hard work is now starting to pay off, were previously we were missing chance after chance, now we are scoring goal after goal. In this division a couple of goals can make a massive difference in a game.

Finally I can’t finish this report with a mention for big Jon Daly. What a stunning turn around, seven goals in three games, the big man is brimming with confidence and ramming the doubters words down their collective throats at every single opportunity. Today’s hat trick sees him fire himself to the top of the League Two top scorers chart. Here’s hoping you’ll be there for the rest of the season Jon, well done.


Hartlepool United
D Konstantopoulos, D Williams, M Nelson, B Clark, J Brackstone, A Gibb, W Boland, G Liddle (30 L Bullock), M Robson, J Porter (84 J Brown), J Daly (73 E Williams)

Substitutes not used
J Provett, G Strachan


Wrexham
M Ingham, S Spender (45 M Williams), S Evans, D Williams, R Valentine, L Roche, M Jones, M Crowell, M Done (73 J Newby), C Llewellyn, J McAliskey

Substitutes not used
M Jones, M Williams, J Johnson

Referee: G Sutton
Attendance: 4452