Colchester 1 - Pools 1

AS I SEEN IT

ALAN ESSEX sees two teams going through the motions

Colchester v Pools, 6th April 2012

It was very tempting to begin writing this a day or two before the actual game. Colchester having drawn 6 of their previous games and Pools scoring just once in their last 6 games. So a definite 0-0 draw, easy, just embellish the report with some local colour and a few rumours, job done.

And so, as has become customary in some circles I shall start with the rumours: courtesy of Wallis and Gromit came the news that Luke James is going to Newcastle in exchange for Andy Carroll plus cash.

As for the local colour, well there isn’t much. For those of you not familiar with the ‘Weston Homes Community Stadium’, it is an out of town, 3-year-old stadium. As such it is functional but with a capacity of a little over 10,000 it lacked atmosphere with under 4,000 there today. It was no doubt planned when Colchester had a brief spell in the Championship but this extravagant lifestyle could never be sustained and in League 1 it looks like a waste of space. We can probably all think of another similar example.

The ground itself is built on the land that belonged to Severalls Mental Asylum. Cuckoo Farm was part of the asylum and was set up to provide food for the ‘residents’ and give them employment. The asylum dates back to 1913 and in those days people could be locked up for being ‘just a bit strange’. Just imagine that, being locked up without a fair trial or ‘closed door trials’. Glad we don’t live in such times.

Okay, that’s the end of the party political broadcast.

As for the game, well it was quite dreadful, two mid table sides playing out the last few games of the season. To be honest I expected more from Colchester, they usually have a flair player or two in their line up. This year they didn’t even start with giant forwards who they could hit high balls to – this being a trade mark of theirs for a few years now. It took Pools 10 minutes to work out that Colchester were actually very poor (other adjectives are available) before we gained the confidence to start knocking the ball around in triangles. It all looked fancy but neither team had a shot on or off target. With no threat from the wings Austin and Horwood especially, were involved in working the ball up the pitch. It was Horwood who had a great run from well inside his own half and then providing a perfect cross for Sweeney to head in. It really looked that simple and a couple of minutes later some good work by Liddle was just beyond Noble."As for the game, well it was quite dreadful, two mid table sides playing out the last few games of the season.
"

It was puzzling to hear Michael Rose the Colchester full back and a target of ours a couple of years ago being booed every time he got the ball – more surprising as he was probably their best player on the day. And to prove the point it was Rose who came closest to scoring for Colchester from a free kick a few yards outside of the penalty area, being denied by a good save from Flinders diving to his right and turning the ball behind for a corner.

Ritchie Humphreys was having a good game involved at both ends of the pitch and our most creative player. The first half ended with Pools controlling the game but without another goal, from either team, looking likely.

There were queues at half time for food and drink but it was bad with queues remaining as the game restarted. I know several people who didn’t bother waiting and obviously resulted in a loss of revenue and hungry / thirsty supporters.

Pools started the second half at a good pace but soon began to relax and Colchester who had brought on 2 substitutes at half time began to get back into the game. Odejayi especially looked much better than Gillespie who he had replaced, however there was still no real threat on Flinders goal.
The Pools threat at the other end was looking less and less likely to bother the Colchester keeper. I’d heard some rave reviews about Noble and was expecting more from him. He had started the game with a lot of running and chasing but rarely had the ball, when he did get it his distribution was poor as was his reading of the game. I don’t remember him having a shot on goal. How many times have we seen players that have started their Pools career like an express train and ended it like a privatised goods train a few games later? Another Roy O’Donovan he is not, more Michael Mackay. Unless this was an off day, definitely not worth persevering with. Cooper must have thought the same as he was replaced by Luke James with 15 minutes to go. James was an instant improvement but by that time Pools were playing too deep and comfortable with their lead to offer an attacking option. It was just like watching Pools under Mick Wadsworth.
Unfortunately playing this way always leaves us open to a freak chance or refereeing indiscretion. And so it was to be – a penalty awarded against Paul Murray. As this happened at the other end of the pitch to us I couldn’t honestly say if it were justified or not but Murray does have a habit of misjudging challenges at times and as this was definitely in the box (as opposed to last seasons ridiculous decision which was right in front of me and definitely outside of the area) a penalty was awarded. Freddie Sears, on loan from West Ham and up until then quite anonymous, scored from the spot.

With 10 minutes to go the match finally came to life – no only joking. The pace lifted but the quality remained the same with neither team looking like getting a winner.

Overall Pools were the better side and as I’ve said Colchester looked dire. I believe Colchester will face financial constraints next season and players will be offered less attractive contracts which may force some to leave and de-motivate others. On this showing they will be lucky to survive in this division.

For Pools the back four looked strong with little or no threat from the wings allowing Austin and Horwood greater freedom to get forward. Horwood was my man of the match. Sam Collins and Jack Baldwin looked sound at the back even when Odejayi came on. It was a nice touch Jack Baldwin’s family coming along to the game from Kent and having a family reunion after the final whistle. We were sat with them and they are a nice close knit family.

Disappointments for me were Noble and Monkhouse but that’s because he’s shaved his beard off and the fact he never takes a player on any more, maybe that’s how he’s been told how to play?

If we are going to persevere with a lone striker I think someone like Lomana Lua Lua (who started his professional career at Colchester) would be a good bet, especially if Blackpool release him at the end of the season.

Pools 0 - Oldham 1

AS I SEEN IT

A return to losing ways, seen by RUNNING MONKEY

After Saturday I was confident we would get to grips with this football malarkey and start playing like we were in it to the finish, not just making up the numbers.

I decided after Saturday to discard all my ‘MOJO SUFF’ as it was not working. So I discarded my odd socks, my 'never say die' posing pouch and my lucky H'Angus Frisbee and my blue and white painted wooden rattle as we have not had a goal to cheer in ages. But there is always a but; just before the game I learned that we had signed a striker of striking ability. Hearing this news I was tempted to dig my lucky odd socks out of the bin and stuff my pockets with the mojo stuff again but decided the only reason we had signed a “striker” was because I had dumped all that stuff.

So feeling quite naked it was off to the game. Sure enough picks up my team sheet and there is a forward line of potential strikers. Andy Monkhouse James Poole and Ryan Noble from Sunderland. "This is it" I thought - back to the free scoring days of, I can’t remember when. Oldham is a club on quicksand and would have little appetite for a Tuesday night game on the steppes of the wild rugged northeast coast. How wrong can one man be, it is like a drug HUFC, they draw you in with promises of glory and then slap you with a damp cloth to wake you out of your state of bliss.

Within eight minutes we were a goal down from another set piece where we failed miserably to defend properly. The ball forced over the line by a lumbering centre back that did nothing else fro the rest of the game. It is disappointing to see such goals against what most of us would have judged as inferior opposition. How many times have we seen really crap teams come to the Vic this season and turn us over?

Poolies know long before anyone else that the game is over for us and it would become a boring drudge for the next ninety-one minutes, and they know how to fill their time in waiting for the anti climax. There was a good clear view of Saturn and Jupiter over the Millhouse stand and two seagulls fighting over a plastic Sainsbury bag was hilarious. We were amazed at the fact that any Poolies shopped in Sainsbury’s. We waited with bated breath for the half time lottery numbers, as the confetti shower in the town end always looks great.

To be fair we did create a little more in the first half as Noble was lively and had a couple of runs into the box. Poole, who still is not as sharp as he should be, struggled to get free and Sweeney had a chance from a Horwood cross that went right through the box without anyone getting near to it.

"We waited with bated breath for the half time lottery numbers, as the confetti shower in the town end always looks great."

All the good stuff out of the way and we were into the second half, with raised expectations as we were kicking down bank this half and we should have the edge. We did step it up a bit early in the second half and Murray Poole and Noble trying their luck at a packed defence. Hartley came closer than anyone but his close range shot was blocked on the line with the keeper beat. It is a pleasant change to see a striker run at the opposition with as much purpose as shown by Noble; he was unlucky after charging through two defenders and whipping the ball across the goal, past the keeper, but inches wide of the goal.

OK we won the second half on chances but having lost the game in the first ten minutes it was a bit of a let down. I think on today’s showing Noble could be the answer and with Nish out for the season the new strike force will have to lift their game. The announcement of Monky being M O M brought cries of derision from the town end, as it was not one of his best games.

Pools 1 - MK Dons 1

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY sees the Franchise Club

I know I should be more respectful of a fellow league team but something’s just stick in your craw and after all they did get in the league under false pretences.

On top of that they invariably beat us and because of their home support are one of the wealthier clubs in the division. But I say anyone can get debt but not everyone can pay it back. Suffice to say I am not a fan of MK Dons. Today we had the added bonus to our list of dislikes when the team sheet had not only the name Dean Lewington but also the ex L***s player Alan Smith on loan from the Toon. 

I spoke to Billy Reed on coming into the Vic and he told me he had been chatting with the ref for the day Mr A. Haines, who I thought was a TV comedian of yesteryear, who told him that the Dons had not brought enough players and had two injuries in the warm up so had to put a sixteen year old on the bench. 

 On the way to the ground today I listened to Brian Arrundale on Tees and he was reviewing the week and his comment on the farce of last Saturday brought a glimmer of a smile. He said “I started off listening to the Wycombe game sitting on the couch, by the end I was behind the couch." He did praise the team for their comeback against Bury and thought today we would have a hard game but he was going for a draw. My guess is that would have been the wish of most Poolies today; looking at the team sheet we looked strong enough, with Brownie and Poole up front and the new loan player Sammy Adjei from the Toon on the bench.

One of the quotes from Mr Arrundale on Cooper in the dressing room was “You are the home team do not let the visitors boss you around.” This looked to be true in the very early stages as Horwood sent in a great cross on his first run but it was headed clear. His second cross after a foul on Brownie was cleared and Hartley hit a long shot over the bar. MK were fast on the break and played some great approach play leaving some of the Pools lads standing watching and at time they caused panic around the box with some good off the ball running and some slick one touch football. 

Aussie made a great block and Ned was off the blocks smartish to punch a cross from Luke Chadwick clear. The midfield for Pools were giving the ball up too easily. RH in particular was having a mare as the visitors pressed in numbers. Murray for me was the star man today, always ready to jump in and break up any threat, but he was fighting a lone battle, and it proves how much we miss Lidds in the middle. If only we had another Murray who could play a bit higher and distribute some clean balls, we would be world beaters - to see the ball getting wellied or headed aimlessly up the field and coming straight back is disheartening. 

On one incident where RH was crowded out and off the ball, Chadwick raced through and blasted a shot that hit the left post and was eventually cleared by Hartley, who, in my opinion, should lead the team on the pitch next season.On the next attack there was a scream for a penalty as Powell the ex-Darlo forward did a triple somersault with pike in the box after a Hartley challenge, but old Arthur Haines just waved play on, rightly so. About five minutes after this event in a pause in play the whole MK team surrounded Mr Haines in Italian style badgering and gesturing that he should have blown for a Pelanty (Someone tell Waddle it is PENALTY.)

"On the next attack there was a scream for a penalty as Powell the ex-Darlo forward did a triple somersault with pike in the box after a Hartley challenge."

MK were a slick team playing some high tempo football and we struggled to keep up, and it was all hands to the pumps at times as they pinned us back for long periods, and it was only our good luck and their poor finishing that let them down. My mate Ken and I were discussing the half as it neared its end and both agreed to go in all square after the battering we took would be a bonus, just as Sam was making a forced back header to Ned, who obviously had not called out to Sam and was left grasping for a ball in danger of going past him and over the line. With this being a family show I will not repeat what Sam called him.

Another chop on Brownie brought us a free kick just wide right of their box twenty yards out. Murray took the kick and floated a ball to the back post where Monky rose and headed it down to the waiting Poole and we were one nil up with a few minutes to half time. Not to be outdone, RH sent in a screamer that the keeper palmed away for a corner.

Half time chat was as expected, a “thoroughly deserved lead” and if you believe that then I am a monkey’s uncle. On the turn around you always feel more comfortable kicking the right way and you feel you can participate in the battle when hammering at the town end goal. Well that is my opinion. 

There was a number twenty two on the visitors team that was not on the team sheet so I take him to be a ringer but he was probably the best player on the park. He strolled with ease and just glided past some tackles and was at the heart of most of the play for the Dons. 

The goal for the Dons was after another nothing tackle where a Dons player cuddles the grass for no apparent reason other than a Pools player running past him and the whistle is blown, despite us upping our game and making a contest of it the opposition and the ref seemed to think it was an unfair contest and he blew more and more every time they laid down. This is annoying and farcical, and I only wish for once we could ever benefit on a level field with teams who seem to revel in this type of play. The free kick was duly taken and a goal resulted; poor defending at the back was again the problem. Baldwin was brought on to bolster the defence in place of RH. 

 Sweeney was doing better down the Millhouse side and a cross found Hartley whose header was scrambled away. At the other end it looked as if Chadwick who, despite his years, still looks a good player seemed to hit both posts with his effort with Ned beat. A drag back on Murray gave us a chance to get back in to them but Brownie shot over the bar. 

A lot of footballers come down from their lofty perches, seem to ignore referees, and in fact put some of them right on their handling of the game. Alan Smith went too far today with his gob after an awful tackle on Baldwin, who should be commended for his calm approach to the incident. No histrionics, no trying to get the man booked, just wanted to get on with the game. Smith talked himself into the book but it mystifies me why refs put up with this stuff. Even after he was booked he was still trying to tell the ref where he was going wrong. Why do they just not send them straight off for back chat then they might come to their senses? 

Both the new boy Adjei and Boydie were brought on for Poole and Brownie. Neither of them made a great deal of difference in this game. Adjei looked good until he went down with what is reported to be a hamstring problem which looks ominous as he has had a long lay off with the same injury, and goes out the first game back. Lets hope we are wrong and he learns the Horwood Lazarus trick.

So at the start of the game someone said we only need ten men to beat this lot and that is what we ended up with. Boydie made one useful contribution: a flick on for Sweeney, who, running in, hit his shot wide of the mark. A hard fought point was probably more than we deserved on the balance of play but we did rally in the second half so I will take that. 

MK did bring on their young sub who was sixteen, and some said he had to get changed in a cupboard as he was not old enough to be with grown men. And calls from the town end of  “does your mother know you are out?” did not faze the kid, and he dived as well as his senior counterparts when the time come.

Pools 3 - Notts County 0

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY sees another fine home win

Someone told me today that the meetings between Neale Cooper and Mad dog Martin Allen were 4-1 in favour of Allen and one cup draw. So today we had to put that right especially after the robbery at Deepdale. As I was collecting my team sheet from reception I was told by someone in the know that today’s referee Mr. Langford had pierced nipples. Only another ref would know that, wouldn’t he! 

A windy but dry day looked like it might be a slog up field kind of game, but as it turned out the cross wind blew most of the long balls out of sight. Once again we had all of the elite clubs sending their scouts to the Vic hoping to glimpse young Luke James; the scout count for today was twenty-one, and they were not disappointed.

Luke was off like a rat up a drain at the kick off chasing everything down and through his harrying won the first corner of the game. Horwood’s cross rebounded to Murray who shot wide of the mark. Liddle made a good block in the Pools box at the other end. Monky won a good header that set up James who shot wide. Aussie was next up giving Brownie a chance but he headed his effort over the bar.


Evan Horwood is often magnificent and at the same time tends to over-hit his crosses, but today he was right on blob as he sent in a pearler that Sweeney, almost having a free header, sent like a thunder bolt into the back of the net for Pools to go one up. Allen had obviously done his homework and James was man-marked all over the pitch and battered to the ground every time the opportunity arose. Obviously the nipple-pierced ref has no idea on motherhood and even less on child abuse as the kid was given the treatment by a lumbering centre half. Brownie also came in for special treatment but we expect that from Martin Allen sides. 


Pools have always been a soft touch and tried to rely on their skill rather than their lack of brawn to win games. Sadly at times today it looked more like a wrestling match than a footy game. After the break they came at us as expected but Murray, for me this weeks MOM despite Sweeney getting it for his goals,  once again stood his ground stepped in and robbed them of the ball and every time made good use of it.


 It helps when you have two pacy forwards. The pace of Luke James won another corner for Pools and these days we have been winning some of the dead ball situations and Sam won the header but it was weak, straight at the keeper. Pools were playing even better football the second half as Notts were looking ragged under the pressure, and the second goal came after some sustained pressure from Pools. I was being a bit critical of Monky who looked short of pace and was giving the ball away quite a bit but one he sent through for Aussie to run onto was a clever ball, and the full back, who is playing well and loves to get forward, set up Sweeney for his brace with Brownie lurking just behind him waiting to pounce. A far cry from a few weeks ago when the same players looked as if they were dumping the ball.

"Allen had obviously done his homework and James was man-marked all over the pitch and battered to the ground every time the opportunity arose."

Being two down and, although we did not know it at the time, trying to save his job, Allen threw on all three subs but to be honest the players he took off were far better, and a couple of prima donnas that flapped their arms like windmills every time a decision went against them did not help the manager's cause. I do not know the extent of Lidds' injury, but when players who are getting beat in a game resort to that type of tackle you just cannot excuse it with a lame statement about frustration or his mother left him when he was a child. This was a criminal act and the video will prove it. Bishop, the Stockton-born player, was ruthless in his assassination of one of our players and a simple yellow card only condones that type of play. Mr. Pierced Nipples chickened out of his duty so I think he should be exposed, and I will write to my MP to ask a question in the house why men who piece their nipples should be allowed in the Vic.


Luke James, again making a mockery of his tender age, was a giant today; battered all through the game he kept getting back up for more and his run down the wing, jinking and diving, resulted in a low cross into the box which Monky smashed home to make it three nil to the Hartlepool. This is what the fans have been waiting for, for the past four seasons, a chance to compete with other teams in the division and we now have the team to do that. And with the addition of Ryan Noble of the Mackems, reported to be joining us, it could become even better. This was a great team performance and it is always good to turn a Martin Allen team over, as we don’t often do. The balance of the side looks good but it looks like the end of the road for the Boyd, reported to be going to Plymouth, and you can’t get any further way from the Manor than that.

One incident which was curious and became curiouser - the Notts keeper suddenly went down in the box clutching his head, intimating to the officials he had been hit with an object thrown onto the pitch. I have no idea if he did find an object but then there was something thrown on at the ref's feet which he did pick up while he was booking some player, at the same time bringing subs on. There was a plastic bottle in the goal but we understood that it was the keeper’s refreshments. Apparently the keeper had blasted a ball into the crowd in frustration, hit someone and knocked him out. This was reported to the police and the theory was he was covering up for his own misdemeanor. The keeper then went to the post ready to take a goal kick and bumped his head on the post, walked a few yards then dropped to his knees. Curious? You bet it was. All might be revealed if the video was on. A chant of ,get them out, went up from the Town End with angry fingers being pointed, but that was for the incident the ref did see.

Pools 2 - Rochdale 0

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY finally sees the end of the run of home defeats

I said at the start of today that it would be a desperate situation if Pools went ten games at home without a win it would be a real showing up. Even more than the past nine, double figures are serious. Especially when another bottom-rung team were the visitors, and match number 13 at home added that little more spice, despite them playing two quality loan players in Ormerod and Bogdanovic from Blackpool. Not sure about Bogdan but Ormerod had destroyed us in the past but he is thirty-five now. As it turned out Bogdan was more of a threat.

I was surprised at the changes made by Neale Cooper - on current form Sweeney and Austin still in and Sam replacing Humps; Boyd and Luscombe both victims of the last stand. We looked a little light upfront with the youngster Luke James supported by Sweeney who does not function properly down the wing; he is far more effective through the middle.

I was confident that Dale manager Chris Beech, the ex Poolie, was bound to do us a favour today. The opening ten minutes was a bit scrappy but Pools were already looking a lot better then the previous weeks. Young Luke James is a breath of fresh air in this side, at such a tender age of just seventeen the kid has all the tricks and pace to make him a star and not just at our level. He jinks and turns so quick the Dale centre half spent all game trying to smother him just to slow him down; he won us loads of free kicks. He can run with the ball he can cross a ball and he can strike a ball - all the attributes we have lacked in recent games. Pools were for once holding their own and looked impressive going forward.

Although playing well, the one thing still lacking was that killer instinct from someone up front to put the ball away. Monky went close on a couple of occasions, but I get the impression he is stuck up front and has not adjusted. Cooper commented on him when he first came, a big lad with good feet, which we know, but never a striker.

We were creating chances something else that has been lacking and James was the instigator of most of them. His running and passing, taking men on down the line was a dream to watch, and there was plenty of product at the end of the run. Monky, Baldwin, Hartley, Liddle all going close from James efforts. How long is it since we could report that, and this was just the first half. "some of the strikers sitting out want to have a good look at this lad's approach because if he can keep this up they will be sat out a long time"

James himself was attacking continuously and some of the strikers sitting out want to have a good look at this lad's approach because if he can keep this up they will be sat out a long time.

James taking all the corners was spot on with his delivery, how many times in a report have I said we wasted possession time after time through poor delivery of dead ball situations and this “KID” comes on and shows them how it should be done.

Monky connected with a James corner at the end of the half but he effort was cleared on the line by a defender. Someone asked me at half time, how long is it since Pools were not getting beat at half time. I had no idea but I was feeling confident about the second half. James won us another free kick on the edge of the box at the start, and an Aussie free kick rebounded to Murray who snatched his shot wide.

Dale were looking dangerous on the break and Pools in the past often succumbed to early pressure but the defending had certainly tightened up to what had been served up in the previous home games. Cooper had done a great job this week because we are now a team and fighting for each other and the difference was fantastic to watch. We were not scared of holding the ball which is what we saw a lot of especially at home - a confident team looking to break and doing just that.

Brownie came on and instantly set about the Dale defenders, dragging players out wide and he was the one that benefitted from the great cross from James, rising with the huddle and nodding the ball down for a “GOAL” yes G O A L to Pools, AT HOME TOO. Poolies chanting "We are winning at home, you must be ****!"

Remember Max Boyce the Welsh rugger comedian whose catch phrase was “I know because I was there”? Well I had a Max Boyce moment today seeing one of the best goals I can remember at the Vic: a seventeen year old kid picked up the ball on the outside of the box jinked and turned and hit the sweetest shot you will ever see into the top far corner giving the keeper no chance whatsoever. It was reminiscent of the "MAIDENS" goal and the "FOLEY" goal but better. Turns out this kid now holds the record for the youngest ever player to score a goal for Pools beating Icey’s record.

Two - nil to the Hartlepool. A fully deserved three points and hopefully a springboard to lift the side out of the home form malaise we have had to endure. One man and his boy made it possible.

Welcome back the messiah.

Pools 0 Colchester 1

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY on consecutive home defeat no. 8

Michael Barron said in last nights Mail that it would be attack, attack, and attack, to try and turn around our drastic home form. 

With Hartley being suspended, Jack Baldwin was drafted in but played midfield and Liddle dropped back into the back four. The deputy manager was daring enough to go without a back up keeper on the bench too. Murmurs of a fans rebellion wafted over the terrace when they saw Collett (ex Darlo keeper) coaching Ned. Despite him leaving the 'Loids a long time ago, some were not happy. 

I was more concerned about the current state of play than whether a coach was coming in, but one or two critical thinkers thought "how could this happen when we have not got a manager sorted yet". But as we know I O R do not go for partnerships and as my mate Ken said, himself a critical thinker, that the club would bring in a manager and tell him whom he has to work with as a number two". Now we have seen this backfire spectacularly with Cooper and “SCOOTY.” who I understand is driving a van for a living these days. 

A crowd of just over 4000 attended the game with some fans complaining that once through the turnstiles they were having their tickets and names checked. Must be a black market circulating among the other thousand ticket holders that are not turning up. But after all it is the last Saturday before Christmas. So I would expect a bumper crowd for the first game of the new-year when they all make a return. 

Back to the game and it was very bright start from both teams and my notes say that Colchester just edged the opening fifteen minutes or so, and pegged us back a little. Poole rushed a chance running in and lobbing the ball that finished in the car park, Ned made a great stop after poor defensive work between Sam and Aussie left a forward bearing down on Ned. It was a similar situation in the next Colchester sortie and they were given a free header after slipping down the wing and having space to cross at will. 

Paul Murray who had his best game at home in a while hit a long range speculative shot that the keeper eventually smothered. Once again this highlighted the lack of reaction from the forwards to pounce when the chance came. Something Colchester did all game and in numbers but it has to be said they were not having any more luck than we were. Andy Monkhouse was another who had a great game today but managed to fluff his chance when open on goal and their keeper smothered his shot. 

The goal came when we were probably on top for a good period and it took a block from Ned and the Colchester player managed to control the rebound and stroke it home. At half time Michael Barron changed it round and took off Brownie for the seventeen year old LUKE JAMES. This kid was a sensation. Ok he got  his first professional booking, or should I say the ref was conned into booking him, as he showed grit and determination in his first tackle, and the guy he tackled crumpled to the floor, with the ref a long way away and the lino unsighted. 

Pools looked a different team with this kid rampaging down the line leaving his marker for dead and the good thing to see there was product at the end of his runs as he caused panic in the visitors defence, So much so that the big centre half singled him out for special treatment more than once and was booked for his trouble.

"Once again this highlighted the lack of reaction from the forwards to pounce when the chance came."

Monky had the one real chance of the game and met his header perfectly to see it fly over for a corner off a defender. Pools were desperate now for a goal and threw everything at the visitors, all to no avail. A very relieved Colchester team made great celebrations at the end of a hard fought game. EIGHT is considered lucky in some circles particularly in China (or is that Japan?). Well if it is then our luck should change after reaching the lucky number “EIGHT”, and I expect when we reconvene on the second of January 2012, 12 from twenty is 8. We will actually see a home goal, possibly from open play as it was the 17th of September when we last saw a goal from open play. 1+7 is 8 so that was lucky. We have gone 8 at home without a win and it has to be said luck has nothing to do with it. OK I am clutching at straws but surely our luck has to change soon. If I O R brings in the right man before the Christmas games then that just might be the key. 

“Hu hu just like that.” hint hint.

I must say in defence of Michel Barron, despite the defeat, we played better than I have seen for some time. Some good performances today. The two debutants Baldwin and James never put a foot wrong. Murray and Monkhouse did exceptionally well, Murray being MOM. Poole never got the right service for a small fast striker, high balls are no good to him when up against giants. 

Some of the older heads spent more time on their arris than standing. Some poor defending and distribution from the back. Sam, Liddle and Aussie were not at their best today. Funnily enough there was a group of very welcome visitors behind me today who were taking the rise out of Solano, when he came on for Murray, which led me to believe they were renegade Mackems. Judging by their conversations they were hoping to score as they were off down Church Street for the night. I just hope they get back home safe.

CHEERS ALL. AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. AND IT THE WORDS OF THE LATE GREAT DAVE ALLEN “MY YOUR GOD GO WITH YOU WHO EVER HE IS.”

Another Bloody Saturday and Sweet F.A.

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY  gets wound up again

This game will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. We had a perfectly respected two minutes silence before the game -apart from the turnstiles clicking all the way through it. Memo to chairman on the way.

We were treated to a march on by representatives from the armed services. It was a very fine sunny day, a bit like an August first game of the season, A poor turn out but nice to be amongst friends again - all 2744, including the travelling fans. The thick and thin regulars, not the whingeing cheap jack smart a*** that bellow from the kick off at every Pools player that kicks the ball. 

Sadly this turned out to be a war to end all wars between the fans and the referee. I know we should not blame the ref for our shortcomings but to fall for the three-card trick on Stevenage’s first attack was unforgiveable. Flinders dived full length for a ball that was being carried wide anyway and did catch a trailing ankle, which the attacker turned into a triple salko with pike and won his team a very dubious penalty. Aussie had already taken the ball and another pools player was on the line so it was not a last man and a scoring chance situation. OK a penalty maybe in the ref’s eyes who must have twenty twenty vision because I was closer than he was to the play. 

Now I am not an expert on footy rules but how many times have we seen a penalty given and not even a yellow card shown? Once again the footy rules that say a team should be punished twice for an incident like this need to be changed. Why should we be deprived of any player let alone a goalkeeper for eighty-eight minutes of a first round cup-tie to a dubious decision? 

To rewind a bit, our troubles started at training the day before when three players were ruled out injured: Sam Collins, Brownie, and Nish. Brownie, according to the night Mail was raring to go in this one, and of the three my guess is he was the one so sadly missed yesterday. Young Andy Rafferty came in to replace Ned at the expense of Horwood who you have to feel sorry for. Rafferty could do little to stop a well-taken penalty. From then on it was backs to the wall stuff as they targeted Richie down our left side with cross after cross raining in on Raffertys goal. The lad did good, and apart from one punch that went astray handled him self very well indeed throughout the game. 

"Flinders dived full length for a ball that was being carried wide anyway and did catch a trailing ankle, which the attacker turned into a triple salko with pike and won his team a very dubious penalty."

On the day all you ask for is a good clean entertaining game of footy and to have a win at the end is a bonus. What we do not need is a ref who was so biased against the home side on fifty fifty decisions I had to ask the question did he travel here on the visitors coach. I only ask because later in the game he did all but carry one of their subs off the pitch to save him the effort. OK I will not moan about another ref this season as long as I can do it here. He was probably the worst I have seen and even excusing the sending off I would never want him here at the Vic again, although records say he has done the same thing to us away from home too.

After a very tough first half playing a man short I welcomed the half time whistle just to ease the tension in my mate Ken who was warned by a steward that if he persisted on roaming up and down the town end with his Mr Angry from Ditchburn face on "it will be out the gate for you sonny boy". I can understand Ken’s frustration, which was not helped by our performance, which for the first half was desperate defending and a single header from Monky that went over the bar.

Pools did try to turn it around in the second half but the extra man made all the difference, I am not a believer in this theory that it is harder to play against ten men - give me eleven against ten every week. You have to feel sorry for Poole who ran his legs off, but was literally marked out of the game by the extra defender. There were cheers of derision when the ref actually gave us the odd free kick, but always in the middle of the park where it would cause no grief to the Stevenage team. You have to put your hands up and say they used the advantage very well. They were quick on the counter attack and played it to a fine line with the ref on the little niggly tackles and blocks, something we as a team need to learn. Apart from a header from Hartley and a couple of chances from Monky - one another powder-puff header from two yards, straight at the keeper's midriff, and a long range effort from around the edge of the box that hit the bar, and that was the end of our F.A. Cup experience for this season. 

Ps. I spoke to a lady at the reception today as we collected our team sheets and as we perused the team she said ‘that’s good Nish is out’ I said to her "Would you like to write for the bizz?" she said "Yes but it will get me into too much trouble". I thanked Mrs Hodcroft for her input and went off to the terrace to stake my claim.

What Do You Do with a Blank Saturday?

RUNNING MONKEY (the self-styled future king of the Headland) does a review of MB106

With the football being bloody awful over the last three games, instead of poring over the BBC SPORT replays of our lack of success, I declined to watch some abysmal tackling and woeful shooting with nil points at the end. Having time to waste I decided to run the rule over the new electronic Bizz and be inspired. 

Central Park 

- or to give it its real name, The Cement Works, a green belt of land between West View and God's acre that has never been built on because it is sinking rapidly. They say that on a very quiet night if you went to the centre spot on the footy pitch and put your ear to the ground you could hear the tide going out.

Central Park seemed like a sensible chap He purports to be a long suffering Pools fan and always claims ‘HIS’ spot next to the girder on the Town End, surrounded by his nodding-donkey mates who hang on his every word. Nothing wrong with that, we all have our favourite place to sit or stand, and you just have to suffer whoever comes to stand next to you. In truth this feller doesn’t know he is born - a lift to and from the game by his wife(!) to save him the “stress”, when he only has to fall out of bed and he is at the Vic. 

Once in the ground he expects the PA system to be turned down, as it is too noisy - his mates can’t hear his pontificating. He ridiculed his daughter’s boyfriend because he was a “Mackem”. If he was that bothered he should have brought his daughter up proper instead of getting her mixed up with a Mackem. He proceeded to whinge about his experience of BR and oh the stress of having to walk to the Stadium of Blight once he alighted from the sardine tin of a carriage at the Sunderland station. He then had to sit through a Chelsea warm up game. As he no idea this is why we Poolies are superior fans to the corporate Prem Shi* supporters. Why on earth did he not go that extra mile and support the lads who were only up the road at Carlisle? I have no sympathy for Mr Whingey of Hartlepool.

Ed Parkinson

Ed, Eddie, or Edie? This writer is new to me. One of the setbacks of going global with the Bizz is you never know who or where the contributors are coming from. They don’t stand on the terrace with you. Ed even claims in his first sentence that he won’t be at the match - he is busy sorting the French out. He might just be a canny lad who has got on a bit and forgotten his roots. He sounds as if he speaks a bit of Simian but he is a terrible namedropper. His one saving grace is that he was at Defeathams when Joe Joe stripped his shirt off, and when the mighty Effion put paid to the Doyles in their own over sized back yard. So he can’t be all bad.

Poolie in Nottingham

See what I mean about the global Bizz, Nottingham? What a bunch of robbers this lot are, claiming to be Poolies and it takes them ten weeks into the season to come and see their first home game at the Vic. Glory hunters doesn’t come into it. Unbeaten home or away in nine games and they turn up and put the bloody mockers on it. They turn up decked in their blue and white like they have never been away. It’s the kids I feel sorry for, brainwashed at three and a half years old, dragged screaming to the pub before the game. Honestly if I see them turn up again I am straight on to social services.

KT Poolie

Another fan I have no recollection of meeting. Male or female I have no idea, just going on the name KT it is probably a female that watches too much televised football. Knows all the clichéd sayings and drops them throughout the article like confetti. My guess is, judging by the spelling of some of the names he/she spent most of their school life behind the bike sheds with a fag or two.

Billy’s Contract

Another aging rocker living in the past, can you imagine the average age of the audience at the Sage and what a strange taste in music he has.

Grandad Shouty

What can you say about him apart from he always talks a lot of sense and we should respect our elders especially when he is near enough my age?

Ed Parkinson

Ed is back, this time he redeems himself big time with one statement. “I always make sure he wears his POOLS shirt for the match”. Memo to editor. How come he gets two articles in the Bizz and I have been here longer than him.

Billy’s Contract

Another double article. How come during a lifetime you meet so many people who are favoured. Well that should be the end of his reign, asking for Pools to falter in their record run so he could have a moan about it. I blame the substances used these days. Hallucinating about mythical places while trying to find his way home. No wonder he gets the “giddy yonks. On top of that he claims we are all illegitimate Poolies. Is it any wonder he got beat up three times in a fortnight when he came to the Headland, He was probably thought to be another spy ready to expose the Headland People’s Republic for their arms build up. The very thing we on the Headland want to keep quiet about is the very place its self. Why on earth would you want strangers walking round poking their noses in where they are not wanted? Yes we are proud of our heritage so bugger off and don’t come back till you are invited.

This piece got left out of MB107 by mistake, but as it was referring specifically to MB106, we didn't think we should hold it over for MB108.

Pools 0 - Tranmere 2

AS I SEEN IT

Or, rather, as RUNNING MONKEY wishes he hadn't saw it!

After results in recent weeks and the fact that we had beaten Chipperfields on Saturday, albeit by a one goal margin, I was actually looking forward to this home game. Mainly because, unless the F A cup draw is favourable to us, then it will be a full month before we have another home game.

News that MW was sticking with the same line-up seemed to cheer a few. Early doors, Luscombe, who came home from Chesterfield with good reports, had a dip which the keeper tipped over, but similarly Ned was called into action as Aussie lost the ball and allowing a shot on goal.

Pools started to take things in hand and there were some good passages of play and Poole made a great run and crossed to Aussie coming in the other side, who set up Monky but he hit wide of the mark. Pools were really pressuring Tranmere who looked to catch us on the break but Pools kept them on the back foot.

Twenty-five minutes into the game the three Pools stands started clapping which they kept up for a full minute then the chants for Michael Maidens rang out over the Vic. A nice tribute carried over from Saturday’s game. The significance of the twenty-five Maidens shirt number lost on the stewards.

Ned was called into action as Pools took their foot off the gas and allowed them back into the game. A shot blocked and another tipped over must have set the alarm ringing for MW, who was up on his feet shouting orders. I could feel it in my water - Pools were going to have one of those days - play them off the park and end up with a draw. The consensus at half time was just that we would do better second half kicking to the Town End.

How wrong could one be? Almost as a throw back to the Turner days when we invariably gave away silly goals after his team talk, we did just that: two passes, a shot blocked, and then the ball was in the net. Once again we find ourselves one down before we even get settled. Someone really must take those easy chairs out of the dressing room; we are far too casual in our approach after the break."I could feel it in my water - Pools were going to have one of those days - play them off the park and end up with a draw."

I was saddened to see Luscombe take a dive on the edge of the box to win a free kick. I always thought we were above that kind of shenanighans. Thankfully we did not profit from it.

Their second goal was even easier than that. A long throw seemed to go straight in the net but I found out later that it had been nicked in by a Tranmere player and in truth they deserved it. We won the first half nil nil and they won the contest 2-0. We did rally a little but it was never enough threat on their goal. We did have three shots in succession that were beaten away, but with Monky, Brownie, Poole and Boydie on together, it was desperate measures, and apart from an attempted scissor kick from Lidds, we did not trouble their keeper, and the incessant hoofing the ball up was wasted effort.

Roll on Saturday

.

Pools 1 - Wycombe 3

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY sees another home reverse

Despite the record start this season, some fans were starting to ask questions after the two recent defeats. All of us were looking to bounce back this week against lowly Wycombe. Never to change a habit of a lifetime, Pools once again crashed and burned when the club, the fans, and the players needed just the reverse.

After criticism last week both Boyd and Nish were dropped form the line-up, being replaced by Monky and Poole. When the team was announced some fans applauded the move but the wise heads wondered at the wisdom of dropping both of them together. Poole who has only ever had one start and eleven sub appearances could still be classed as a striker, while Monky the self-styled best player at the club has started half of his thirteen games this season but not as a striker, he is a winger, who has not shown the form of last season, but just maybe this might work for MW.

Once the game got under way, to the sound of an old fashioned wooden rattle that Millwall Poolie had picked up in Bournemouth, Pools kicked the wrong way again after being turned round by Wycombe winning the toss. It was obvious that the Pools full backs were instructed to get up and support the new striking pair. It took about twenty minutes for the Pools team to adjust to this set up and Monky was caught out a few times, out wide, crossing the ball for the striker.

One nice move ended with a Liddle shot blocked after some good interplay between Monky, Lidds, Poole and Lidds again. Not for the first time in the half, Murray was robbed of the ball in midfield and left for dead, and this time Pools paid the penalty with a well-deserved goal for Wycombe. I was criticised after the Wendies game for stating we were second best, but I was never a shy kid and I have to say it today. We were second best to a team who wanted it more than we did. They chased and harried and as one football legend whose name escapes me once said "You make your own luck in football."

Ainsworth for the visitors was having a field day, pulling the back three all over the shop while our two full backs were racing back from their forward positions to try and block the holes. Ned made one great diving save to push the ball away from what would have been a two nil lead for the visitors as Pools were pegged back in our own half. Sweeney, who was playing in his favoured position, was unlucky with a cross from Horwood that he headed just wide.

Another deep cross from Horwood was met by Aussie who laid the ball off for Poole, who was wide of the target. Monky again set up Poole but his shot was blocked. The ball played out by Wycombe should have been dealt with by Murray on the edge of the box but the sweetest turn and shot saw the visitors take a two nil lead. They hit the bar with a long-range speculative shot but they were doing what we should have been doing. Again MW's plans went awry as Sweeney, chasing the ball near the dug out, was forced over the line, clattered by a burly centre half, and left the field just on half-time, looking sorry for himself."Never to change a habit of a lifetime, Pools once again crashed and burned when the club, the fans, and the players needed just the reverse. "

The second half we tried to step it up a bit, and Poole was the first to have a pop, but was wide of the mark. An Aussie header landed on the roof of the net but we were making little progress. With the crowd getting more frustrated and vociferous, MW brought both his strikers back on to a crescendo of boos, Nish and Boyd replacing Poole and Murray. I could understand the Murray switch but better judges than I thought Poole should have stayed on. Luscombe, who had replaced Sweeney, was not getting enough of the ball, and I expected more from him.

Pools did start to exert a bit more pressure on the visitors, and a link with Luscombe and Aussie brought the best Pools effort of the game. Luscombe ball through, an Aussie shot blocked, and a trademark overhead kick from the very active Boyd was blocked by Wycombe. Sods law struck Pools again and Sam running in to stop an attack diverted the ball past Ned, and the visitors were home and dry, three goals up. With the 5000 plus crowd streaming out on the third goal Pools were awarded a penalty - don’t ask me why - as I was too busy scribbling, but Boydie stepped up and gave us a very small amount of consolation in a game we were never going to win.

Pools 0 - The Wendies 1

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY sees the end of the unbeaten run

It has been a long week this week waiting for the arrival of our nemesis from Cardiff, probably more to do with the fact that, like a good wine, I do not travel. So two weeks without live footy is a long time in anybody’s life. It has been one of those fixtures that when the games for the season are announced, you just want to get at 'em and try and get the taste of defeat out of your system. This is “The“ team that every Poolie wants to give a good stuffing to, and the truth is we have not done it now since the first time the giants of Yorkshire football joined little 'ole Hartlepool at this level, and the Boyd danced around them in the rain. 

I could go on for page after page on how they mock our lowly position in the football world, with quotes like “we will never play you again” after the Cardiff stitch up. NO we are bigger and better than that and I will just ask what are the likes of you, the mighty Wendies, with all your wealth and massive support, doing scratching around the lower reaches of the Football League? You should be up there with the elite but sadly you have been rubbish at that level for some time now and you will have to make do. I was in fact tempted to stay at home today and watch the tide come in, after reading the message boards such as Owls Talk where the Wendy supporters were predicting 4,5,6 goals against us, and how terrified we would be when they let Madine loose on us, what a hoot. 

The only good thing about today’s visit was the fact they brought 1002 fans and they had to pay top whack to see us. My guess is there were a few Wendies sprinkled around the other three stands too. Either that or the cheap ticket deal has attracted a lot of Yorkshire people to the Vic. You can pick them out by the way they walk and how silent they are when the Pools fans are in full voice. 

An unchanged line up for Pools sounded ok, old heads for what could potentially be a tough game. The devil was at work from the off, the dreaded “CLEM” was here with his entourage, doing a feature for the Footy League Show. What a patronising bar steward he is. 

Then the Wendies won the toss and turned us round. I hate that, and think it should be stopped (memo to the FL, home team picks the way they start a game, it will stop fans like me getting upset). First attack and a Solano trademark cross almost caught them out, but it was too high for the Boyd and Sweeney stretching headed it wide. Pools were switching the ball .RH chipped in a ball and won a corner and Murray skinned his marker but his cross was too deep, but good stuff from Pools ,taking the game to them. Solano was having a field day out wide wining the lost cause then sending in some superb crosses that set panic in the Wendies' back line, but no one was connecting with them. 

On the break they were fast and stretched us at times. It has to be said we lacked pace all over the park today. Sam was booked for a challenge on him after he won the ball. The attacker clattered him and went down in agony, and once again the big time Charlie fell for it hook line and sinker. It is not the first time I have complained about this type of refereeing but lets just say it was “free kick day for free for the Wendies" today.

"I will just ask what are the likes of you, the mighty Wendies, with all your wealth and massive support, doing scratching around the lower reaches of the Football League?"

A long ball was pushed out by Pools, and the resulting throw was met by the biggest man on the pitch, who just glanced it past Ned and in off the side netting at the back post. It was a very good goal and Pools will be disappointed at conceding the way they did. Pools tried to get back on terms but it was looking increasingly more difficult. Nish did win one header that Boydie picked up and a clever back heel to Lidds set up a chance but his shot was blocked. Ned was at full stretch when he made a two-handed push of a save over the bar from a speculative Wendies shot but it was becoming too easy for them. The next Wendies attack, Ned jumped for a ball and set his knee into the back of the forward, no not deliberately but the ref did see it and waved play on with the player writhing in agony in the Pools box. Once the game did stop and he was attended to he attempted to carry on without going off much to the chagrin of the faithful. 

Second half Pools stepped it up a bit, and Solano, making good use of the free kicks, almost sent in a ball that Lidds and Nish combined to hit wide of the mark. Sweeney also headed his effort wide as Pools piled on the pressure. Monky blasted a shot in that came back off the post and Horwood saw his effort bounce off the bar but that was the nearest Pools got to getting an equaliser before the Wendies closed the game down and were content to stroke the ball around and play out the game. Even Ned went up for one corner hoping to emulate last season's scoring spectacular. 

The Wendies could have made it two when their striker raced through unchallenged, took it wide of Ned - and shot past the empty net. The 6800 gate was good to see, but once again the theorists talking of Pools never performing in front of a big crowd had their pennorth. On the day they were just too good for us. I just went home to dream that one day we would stuff the Wendies and found that the tide had come up after all.

Pools 3 - Bury 0

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY watches Pools go up to 5th top

A fine sunny afternoon for footy, so after the downpour around dinner time it saved the ground staff watering the pitch. With 5300 crowd in attendance it was sad to see a poor turn out from Bury, but I suppose six without a win would put a few off travelling the short distance. 

Both Richie Barker and Taffy Williams were the old boys returning to the Vic and Richie in particular was afforded a good reception by the faithful.

Liddle forced a corner in the first attack and Sweeney could not test the keeper with his shot. At the other end Ned saved comfortably from a free kick the man in the middle gave against us after an Aussie tackle. A free kick at the other end saw the ball skim the head of Boydie. Bury came straight back and Murray made a great block from a rasping Bury shot. Sam was having a great game winning every header and his distribution was superb.

Wright was knocked to the deck by a ball that hit him on the back of the head as he tried to block the cross, but he was soon up on his feet. Wright looks to have been a very good acquisition to the squad - very mobile both in defence and attack.

Pools were playing some good football but were finding Bury difficult to break down. Boydie came close heading a free kick from Aussie onto the top of the visitors net. Both teams were breaking well and the Bury forward Harrad tired any fair or foul means to pressure Ned, even using elbows, which the officials missed.

Paul Murray won a ball midfield and carried it forward and blasted a shot through the crowded box, which the Bury keeper was equal to. The same player, Harrad, turned Hartley and broke free in the box to strike at Flinders, who smothered the shot. The game was becoming bogged down as both teams gave little away until Solano slipped his marker, sidestepped a defender, and hit a lovely low shot back across the goal to take the lead. Solano, almost on the next attack, played a great ball to Nish, who turns well on the ball for a big man and he set up Sweeney at the far post to slot the ball home. I thought the flag went up before Sweeney scored, so possibly Nish was offside first.

The second half started at the same pace as the first but it was Colin Nish, who we all know desperately needed a goal in front of the home fans, got one, and this was some goal. A cross from Monky found Nish who made a superb turn and hit his shot under pressure into the roof of the net to rapturous applause. He may have his critics in some quarters of the ground but that was one of the best individual goals I have seen.

Nish again won a ball and set up Sweeney, who raced through on goal but was sandwiched between two defenders and his shot went just wide. Pools were playing some great football now and Wright was finding more space, and a great run to the dead ball line allowed him to hit a low cross that Poole mis-hit as he came from the other side of the goal. Nish sent a great header in and was unlucky to see it bounce off the bar with the keeper beaten.

Nish scored his third of the season by beating a defender in the box, nicking the ball from him, rounding the keeper, and coolly stroking the ball into the net with the Poolies going wild. Poole who came on, went close with a curling shot just past the far post and almost set up Nish for a hat trick. Nish made a desperate stretch at the back post but could not connect. Bury did have their moments but teams that are mis-firing always seem to try too hard, as we know from experience. Fortunately there were not enough Bury fans to give Barker much grief.

Pools 2 - Exeter 0

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY sees the first home win of the season

I was a bit late getting in to the Vic today, about ten minutes before kick off, and how good it is to see the place bouncing with 5000 plus crowds. It is a long haul from Exeter so I suppose 200 was a good following for the visitors. The Mail was telling us that there was a couple of doubtful players in the squad, but that is only to sell papers, is it not? 

I was looking for an unchanged side, possibly with the absence of Poole who was nursing a knee injury. On collecting my reserved team sheet all was revealed, and Steve Wright was in this afternoon. This new signing was in to replace the injured Sam. When you look at the bench of Poole, Monky, Luscombe and Haslam, how good is that? Today I knew that I would have no need to write any disparaging remarks about the ref, Mr Mathieson, who is a regular at the Vic, and in the past has always done a good job. 

A couple of notables in the Exeter side: Daniel Nardiello, and Rowan Vine - and a Troy Archiebold –Henville -  here is me thinking all public school boys played rugger or went to be MPs. Give him his due this, rather tall coloured centre back was good and could put it about when he needed to. 

Pools, going for the jugular, started with the rejuvenated Boydie and the much maligned (in some quarters) Nish up front. Nish is a good player who needs a couple of goals and does seem to be trying too hard to get them. Boydie was the first to have a dip at goal with an overhead kick that was not too far off. Nobby played a beautiful through ball to Sweeney who fired at the keeper, who blocked it and again. Sweeney’s header was blocked and Nish hit his shot that was blocked until the man in the mask ghosted in to slide the ball home. One nil to the Hartlepool. 

If there were any neutral fans in the ground, with the exception of the two stood behind me who chatted all game about Engerlund, they would have enjoyed this game immensely. End to end football with both teams making mistakes and both teams playing attractive football. Mr Mathieson did give a few dodgy free kicks on the edge of our box but I think he was conned so I wont hold that against him. A tip over by Ned and a shot at the other end by Sweeney followed by a superb ball from Aussie to Boydie on the spot saw Lenny Pidgeley smother the ball as Boydie pounced. 

Hartley headed a ball onto the net from a free kick. It is great to see us not wasting these free kicks as we have done so much in the past, and even if we are only testing the keeper it is an improvement. Boydie, who is not the fastest in the side, made some good ground on a clearance and laid the ball off to the supporting Solano who hit the far post, and Sweeney charging in could not connect with the ball before the keeper smothered it. There was some really good football played by both teams in the first half and one period in particular where Pools, playing one-touch training ground stuff. looked to have Exeter on the rack. Half time, one nil to Pools, and on balance they deserved their lead.

"If there were any neutral fans in the ground, with the exception of the two stood behind me who chatted all game about Engerlund, they would have enjoyed this game immensely."

The start of the second half Pools were under a bit of pressure. Exeter, playing some good football on the deck, made us look a little ragged. Poole was brought on for Nobby, and Pools started to get more of the ball, and Sweeney, who was skinning their full-back, set up Liddle, whose turn and shot was excellent. Boydie’s chip come shot was just wide of the far post, which at first I thought had gone in - one disadvantage of a full Town End: you cannot see along the line. Nish was taken off for Monky and it was good to see the faithful give him a good round of applause after he played so well. Monky, who had been publicly criticised last week for a bad back header, made a great run down the left and squared a perfect ball for Lidds who shot wide. 

Good to see Boydie last the ninety minutes, and as we know of old, you can never count him out. He was actually getting better as the game went on, and a link-up with Monky, who made a repeat of the earlier cross to Lidds, this time set up Luscombe, who wellied the ball home for a very deserved two nil lead and three very valuable points.

Exeter were always in with a chance when it was one nil, and last year we probably would have even lost this game against a good footballing side. Today we held our luck and deservedly took the spoils. One call on the tannoy during a break in play, for a fan to go straight to North Tees as his girlfriend had gone into labour, had even the players in stitches.

Rochdale 1 - Pools 3

AS I SEEN IT

BILLY'S CONTRACT takes a trip across the Pennines

Having messed up on the holiday front which meant that I missed the first three home games and a first-ever visit to Stevenage, I was determined to get to see 'Pools at the earliest opportunity possible. This meant the relatively short hop down the M62 over to Rochdale. 

I like this little Lancashire town, home of Gracie Fields and of the Rochdale Pioneers, who founded the Co-Operative Society. In many ways it reminds me of Hartlepool, but without a sea front or a Marina ...and a lot of other things.

Despite the fact I have been to this ground on seven or eight occasions, I had yet to see 'Pools win here, our best effort being a draw.

Normally when heading home after an away trip, as tradition dictates, we hit Wetherby for fish and chips. This however is given a miss whenever we play Rochdale, as we tend to have suet steak pie and chips from 'the chippy' across the road from Rochdale's ground. As ever the scran was excellent - Gordon Ramsey eat your heart out - and the lasses who served us were good craic. It was then over the road to The Church for some holy water. ...Just to clarify for those who have never been to the Dale, The Church is a pub not a religious building so perhaps I should have said we went in for some unholy water. A blessing in disguise!

After our libation we decided we would head for the ground, a mere 40 strides away from the pub. Without paying attention I entered the first turnstile I came to, handed a £20 note over to the turnstile operator, and tried to gain access to the ground by pushing the turnstile but it would not move. I was just about to ask the turnstile operator to let me in when she handed me £6 change back. As I gained access to the ground I was thinking that the entrance price, as last season, should be £20 to get in and not £14. It was then that it occurred to me that I used the O.A.P. entrance. The joy of saving six quid quickly subsided when I realised that the lady on the gate did not query my age, and must have thought I was a right old codger. I know I am 58 and what hair I have is quite grey but my ego was severely dented I can tell you. My mate was incredulous as he thought that I had pulled this stunt to save a few bob. ...Having said that, if it worked once it might be worth another try at our next away game!

Pools took to the field in their new 'must have' Maroon away strip, which absolutely looks the business ...currently 'not available' from the club shop.

I have previously mentioned that I am not a fan of the 4-5-1 formation. Like my women, I prefer 'two up front', particularly as 4-5-1 sends a message to the opposition that we are scared stiff of you and are more interested in not getting beat rather than winning.

I also do not believe that we have the players to use this system on a consistently successful basis as too many individuals in our defence are prone to make elementary mistakes that prove costly. In addition I am not convinced that either Boydie or Brownie are suited to being the lone target man. As it turned out on the day, this system actually worked. Pools put in a superb performance to come away with their first win of the season."I like this little Lancashire town... In many ways it reminds me of Hartlepool, but without a sea front or a Marina ...and a lot of other things."

Neil Austin had an excellent game at centre half filling in for the injured Sam Collins. Boydie had one of his best games since he returned to the club. He harried and chased and was deservedly rewarded with a neat headed goal. Poole is looking a far better player than when he was with us on loan last season and looks to be a possible star of the future. His pace is something we have previously lacked and should be utilised. As for Poole's so-called wonder strike what can I say ...well, nothing really as I missed it - I was still supping tea underneath the stand during what I thought was still the half time interval. I did not realise that the team had taken to the pitch, let alone scored a goal, until the massive roar went up that acknowledged Poole's stunner.

However the two stars of the day were the old campaigners Paul Murray and Ritchie Humphreys (if only they were both five years younger) who absolutely dominated and bossed the midfield for the full ninety minutes. Basically they used their football brains and not their lack of pace. Ritchie also had a hand in two of the goals.(He might have had an assist in Poole's first goal for all I know, but as I said earlier, at the time I was quaffing P.G Tips out of the sight of field of play!)

It has to be said that the three hundred or so fans who made the journey to Dale really made themselves heard and got behind the team, cheering every goal and tackle, which I am sure kept the lads going, particularly in the latter stages of the game.

As for Rochdale, they should have played Jake Kean. ...Perhaps not.

All this, followed by a leisurely drive home and a very acceptable curry at the new Indian restaurant next to Hornsey's on Seaton front. One sour note was that they do not do concessions for pensioners. Such is life.

Stevenage 2 - Pools 2

AS I SEEN IT

POOLIE IN NOTTINGHAM becomes Poolie in Stevenage for the day

When the fixture list came out, one of the first ones I looked for was Stevenage. Although I love the familiarity of great away days out at places like Orient, Brentford, Crewe, Peterborough etc, you can't beat the first time at a new ground.

Now I don't think I was alone in having a few preconceptions about what the Lamex Stadium would be like. If I was pressed to draw up a stereotypical list of what I expected to encounter at Stevenage, I would fall back onto what little I know about the place. Let's see then, they're a team from a new town built to mop up the London overspill, and this is only their second season in the league. Here goes then:

New town architecture (eg characterless)
Easy to get to if you're driving, but poorly served by public transport
Hardly any pubs within walking distance
Overzealous stewarding/policing
Distinct lack of atmosphere, or one artificially whipped up by a drummer
Rip-off catering
Rip-off bottle-neck parking with no alternative
Functional yet utterly soulless stadium

As it happens, not all the above boxes were ticked. I didn't see any of the town's architecture, as the ground is but a Sam Collins long throw from the A1. Amazingly, there was a huge car park directly opposite the ground which was completely free! I can't believe that whoever owns the land isn't coining it in on matchdays, particularly now that they will be getting larger crowds. Not that it would be a good thing, just that it's unusual for enterprising southerners to miss a trick like this.

I didn't pass any pubs on the drive in, and I don't expect that there were rows of them just around the corner. The stewards and muskers were quite relaxed, the most laid back I've encountered at a match for some time. The tossers in luminous jackets at Elland Road could learn a thing or two from this approach.

The catering was probably averagely priced, but I always feel that I am being fleeced when being asked for money by a southerner than someone with say, a Lancashire accent.

The stadium was functional, and would have been almost soulless had it not been for the irregular terrace behind one of the goals, which only extended about two thirds the length of the goal-line. As for the atmosphere, the regulation percussionist whacked out a thudding beat at regular intervals, but overall the Stevenage fans were pretty loud even without the help of their little drummer boy.

This is the first game I've been to for a long time without a load of Monkey Businesses to flog, and it took a bit of getting used to. However, I soon settled down without constantly wondering where my bag had gone to."As for the atmosphere, the regulation percussionist whacked out a thudding beat at regular intervals, but overall the Stevenage fans were pretty loud even without the help of their little drummer boy"

At half time we were two to the good, thanks to Stevenage spurning a few good chances, a superb thumping header from Peter Hartley, and a cheeky penalty finish from Boydy after Colin Nish was brought down rather naively in the Stevenage box.

Before the start of the game I said I would be happy with a point, given the impresive early season start Stevenage had made. At the final whistle it was a relief to hang on to 2-2. Nish should have put us three up, and after that Stevenage upped their game as we grew more knackered. When they pulled one back it was inevitable that an equaliser would come, and I feared the worst when the board went up signalling 4 minutes of added time shortly after the leveller.

We managed to hold on without any scares, and again it was odd to head straight out of the ground without trying to flog mags to the exiting Poolies. The car-park didn't fail to disappoint however - I was in the car a full 15 minutes before I was able to drive out and head back north up the M1.

By the time I got home I had come to the conclusion that it was two points dropped rather than a point gained, in spite of the injury ravaged squad which featured the veteran central midfield of Humphries and Murray. Still, we continued our unbeaten run, and if we remain difficult to beat then we should comfortably finish in the top half, if not troubling the top 6.