Outstanding October in League Two

Hartlepool’s current team are doinng the badge proud

After a mixed month in September, Colin Cooper’s Hartlepool United made up for it in an October which shocked many – including themselves! Pools finished September in bad fashion, a 3-1 defeat to Oxford United which saw goalkeeper Scott Flinders concede a late penalty and veteran target man Steve Howard sent off for a lunge on Oxford’s Scott Davies.

But with supporting Hartlepool United, you get surprises either way. First up in October was a visit to the One Call Stadium to play the newly promoted high-flyers Mansfield Town. Mansfield were third in Sky Bet League Two up until the visit of Hartlepool United. An early goal of the season contender from Andy Monkhouse in the 8th minute put Pools 1-0 up, Jeff Stelling cutting short a Premier League in-game report on Gillette Soccer Saturday to share his delight with the nation that Andy Monkhouse had put Pools 1-0 up at Mansfield. It was to get better for Pools when star winger Jack Compton ended the Poolie nerves and another contender for GOTS was converted low into the bottom corner just before the break.

The second half kicked off and the crowd at the One Call Stadium (otherwise known as Field Mill to locals) didn’t have to wait long for another Hartlepool goal. It’s very rare that Hartlepool go 3-0 up in games but what was more rare was the fact we scored a free-kick! Jack Compton’s cool and well-placed free-kick from just outside the area beat Mansfield goalkeeper Alan Marriott and left the travelling Pools fans in delight – as well as shock! Even the joint Hartlepool United reporter for the Hartlepool Mail, Roy Kelly, told fellow journalists that the free-kick would go straight into the wall. He may have looked a fool in front of the other journalists but I doubt he cared in the slightest! Pools were 3-0 up against a team who they were backed to be thrashed by.

It didn’t end there though, unfortunately for Pools. Sam Collins was penalised for a hand-ball in the area and Mansfield were awarded a penalty by referee Graham Horwood. It was Sam Clucas to step up to take it and he coolly slotted home past Scott Flinders and the scoreline was 3-1. A nervous finish was set up for Hartlepool but those worries disappeared when James Poole powered the ball into the back of the net in the 79th minute. It finished Mansfield Town 1-4 Hartlepool United in a game that saw all of Hartlepool’s goals scored from outside the box and all scored by left-footers.

Next up for Hartlepool in October was a midweek journey to League One strugglers Sheffield United in the Second Round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Pools had beaten Bradford 5-0 at Victoria Park in the previous round. Pools were going into this game with confidence off the back of that 4-1 thrashing of Mansfield Town as well as the result in the previous round and were looking to take advantage of United’s poor form. In a game with very few clear cut chances, it was Pools who stole the win. James Poole connected with a volley from a long throw from Pools full-back Darren Holden to see Hartlepool advance to the next-round in a game which proved to be David Weir’s last at Bramall Lane. Hartlepool went on to draw Rotherham United at home in the Northern Section Quarter Final of the Johnstones Paint Trophy.Sheffield United 0-1 Hartlepool United.

Bye bye David.

Next up, another away trip for Hartlepool United, this time heading to Exeter. Another game in which Hartlepool were expected to be beaten and another game that Hartlepool ended up the coupon busters of the day. A well-worked set-piece saw Hartlepool take the lead in the game, a Jack Compton cross connected with the head of highly-rated versatile defender Jack Baldwin to make it Exeter 0-1 Hartlepool. Exeter had their fair share of chances but it went into the break 0-1 to Hartlepool, the game still there for either team to win. It was Pools who came out all guns blazing in the second-half.

Five minutes in, a Jack Compton long ball reached striker Luke James and the 18-year-old chipped the ball over Exeter goalkeeper Krysiak into the net, leaving James on the floor after being clattered by the Exeter ‘keeper. A good footballing move paying dividends for United. After setting up both goals, Jack Compton then found his way onto the scoresheet with a neat and accurate half-volley from the right hand side of the 18-yard-box in the 62nd minute, 3-0 Hartlepool and it finished that way. Exeter City 0-3 Hartlepool United.

Pools returned back to Victoria Park in fine fashion and form, inviting Plymouth Argyle to The Vic in their first meeting since 2011. Pools started on the backfoot and it was evident that they were getting frustrated when James Poole received a yellow card for a mistimed tackle on a Plymouth defender. Plymouth’s striker Reuben Reid was sent through on goal early on, Scott Flinders came rushing out leaving an open goal for Reid but if it wasn’t for the perfectly timed challenge from Jack Baldwin in the area then Pools would have been 1-0 down to a team who were all over them. Reid had another challenge to make it 1-0 but his effort was brilliantly saved by Flinders and then he saved the follow up from Argyle’s Boco – two game saving efforts which would prove costly for Plymouth.

The referee lost his patience with Hartlepool’s poor tackles when Jack Compton was sent off for a careless and idiotic lunge on Plymouth’s Jamie Reckford and then soon after, Pools’ on loan midfielder Matthew Dolan received a yellow card for a late lunge on one of Plymouth’s wingers, Plymouth’s strong travelling support thought a yellow card was a lenient decision. The two sides went into the break at 0-0, Plymouth Argyle looking the better of the two sides.

10 minutes into the second-half, Luke James brilliantly carried the ball into the edge of the 18 yard box and slotted past goalkeeper Luke McCormick to give Hartlepool the lead, an absolute beauty of a goal. Pools then defended for their lives and took everything that Argyle threw at them, Scott Flinders and the top defensive partnership of Jack Baldwin and Christian Burgess kept Argyle out and Pools held on for the win, Hartlepool United 1-0 Plymouth Argyle.

Victoria Park saw some exciting football in October.

The last home game in an October which had rarely seen Pools play at home was one to remember. Pools welcomed a struggling AFC Wimbledon. It was a 50/50 game for the first 30 minutes,with both sides having chances but unable to convert them until the 32nd minute, when James Poole found his way into the box and was foul by Wimbledon’s Alan Bennett.

Simon Walton scored the resulting penalty for his first goal of the season to make it 1-0 Hartlepool going into the break. It was Wimbledon’s turn to have a go at Hartlepool in the second-half and they were awarded a penalty of their own in the 66th minute when George Porter was felled by Andy Monkhouse.

Harry Pell stepped up and converted the penalty for the equaliser. Pools needed a reaction and they got one when Simon Walton placed a beautiful ball onto the head of Luke James just outside the 18-yard-box and he headed over the goalkeeper and the ball hit the back of the net, sending Hartlepool fans into jubilation! The next goal was obviously vital, and Matty Dolan would calm the nerves of the Pools fans with a nice and low shot from outside the box for the deciding goal. It was more relief than celebration for Pools, which saw them pick up their fifth win of the month. It finished Hartlepool United 3-1 AFC Wimbledon.

Last up in the month was a trip to Glanford Park to take on on-form Scunthorpe United. Hartlepool United had a 100% record in the month and wanted to end it in good fashion. Sadly, it didn’t end up this way. Both teams were trying to break down their opposition by playing quick, fluid football and were able to create many chance. Scunthorpe managed to get the ball into the box many times in the early stages but Flinders would collect or it would be headed to safety by Christian Burgess or Jack Baldwin.

Pools also had chances when Jack Baldwin played a nice ball over the top to Luke James, but his shot was caught by Scunthorpe goalkeeper Sam Slocombe. Matthew Dolan had a long-shot saved by Slocombe as well which, on another day, would have flew in. Pools had their moments to win the game in the first-half (if that’s possible) when Dolan played a ball out wide on the left for Jonathan Franks who cut outside onto his weaker left and fired his shot across goal. It beat Slocombe, but it wasn’t on target. 0-0 at the break.

Scunthorpe came out with a different formation and found a foot in the game. Winnall was through on goal for Scunny but the defensive qualities of Jack Baldwin paid off when he put in a great challenge to deny Winnall a certain goal. Andy Monkhouse had one of Pools’ closest efforts on goal when his shot was deflected onto the post in front of the 492 travelling Poolies who made the three hour journey from the North-East. Winnall then capitalised on a defensive slip from Christian Burgess to go through on goal and scored the only goal of the game.

An 80% record for Pools in an impressive October which has since seen Luke James and Colin Cooper nominated for League Two Player and Manager of the Month respectively. I couldn’t ask enough of Pools in October, a great team effort saw Pools win 80% of their games and it was a joy to watch. Lets hope for more!