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.

Pools 0 - Huddersfield 0

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY sees yet another draw at the Vic

After the ambulances were called to the Vic on Saturday night it was a wonder Pools still had a team to be able to meet this fixture. This was strengthened by the Mail claiming a possible eight players unavailable. Obviously Sweeney and Luscombe would miss out, Gary Liddle was heading to the beauty parlour for a face mask, and one of our strikers was reported to be pregnant. 

Even a pregnancy would not stop a Poolie player from turning out and it was great to see Nish, Sam and a brace of full backs make a lightning recovery, Evan Horwood even resorting to a dip in the North Sea to aid his recovery, shades of Tony Toms' fitness regime. 

A fine night for footy and a great crowd which I may have mis-heard as 5500 turned out to see us take on Udders, who you would have thought would be laughing up their sleeves at our plight. 

Now we have some back up these days, and RH, Larkin and Poole filled the gaps and Paul Murray, also made of sterner stuff, made the line up after limping badly at the end of Saturday’s game. Even Brownie had made the bench for the first time this season. 

From the off Pools were pushing Udders back and Pools almost took the lead when Hartley blasted a shot in. Flinders almost made a repeat of Saturday's Flinders [claimed by Nish] goal with a long punt up field. Aussie got himself booked after a bit of pushing and shoving from an Udders forward which was unnecessary. 

" Obviously Sweeney and Luscombe would miss out, Gary Liddle was heading to the beauty parlour for a face mask, and one of our strikers was reported to be pregnant."

Nish blasted another effort high; he really should be testing the keeper. Sam missed a ball that dropped for the attacker but fortunately the defenders did their job and wellied it clear. Pools were holding their own and I think surprised Udders a little. 

Super Tom had one chance all game and blasted it over. A wise choice to give him a miss on this performance, after he was being considered a target during the summer. As in the other two home games I have seen, Pools can play some nice football, which in my opinion is better than last season - it is just getting the ball into the net at the end of it that is missing.  

Udders came out the second half looking for an early goal and pressed us back for a good spell. Larkin made a trademark long run on goal but missed out with a poor execution of a shot. Pools started to press home now and Monky was pulled up twice by the official in successive runs into the box as he leaned towards the big time Charlies.  No I am not having a pop, just saying it as it was. Nish does some good stuff on the ball, is tidy when he has the ball at his feet, but a glaring miss from four yards after some great build-up play from Monky and Horwood will not endear him to the faithful unless he starts getting on the sheet a bit more. OK It is early days but fans are fickle. 

A nice chip over from Monky saw Larkin head straight at the keeper. 

Not all doom and gloom just yet, but Udders were there for the taking and we should have stuffed them, and with Stevenage on a roll we need to be on our mettle at the weekend.

Pools 1 - Walsall 1

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY sees his first large crowd for years

Don’t you just hate Saturdays when nothing goes right? Just getting ready to leave nice and early for the match and the phone goes. Emergency Ward 10 as a neighbour of an old aunt calls to say she has had a fall and there's lumps hanging off her leg and she didn't know what to do.

So off I go to assess the situation and find her with lumps hanging off her leg. The ninety two year old was the calmest on the scene. With the A&E closing down last week, the emergency service told me it would be easier for you to take her to North Tees as it was not an emergency, and if they sent an ambulance it would take longer than me driving to North Tees.
Thanks, Call Me Dave.

As it transpired I took her to the new emergency centre built in Park Road, booked her in, looked around the waiting room to the selection of limping bandaged wounded and guessed a hour wait at least. I told the reception it was a matter of life and death that we get the aunt seen to - they said about an hour. As it turned out we waited about forty minutes and she was suitably bandaged and back home for two-fifteen. 

Quick dash home for my brand new season ticket and off to the match, arriving about a minute after kick off. I hate that you need to be in your comfortable spot and get accustomed to the faces, and today there were nearly all strangers, you would think they would have a bit of common courtesy wouldn’t you.

The game was over by five past three. A bloody nose for Lidds, a penalty against Muzzer for clearing a ball that the attacking player ducked into, and a goal from a long clearance from Ned that the new striker Nish tried to claim . As he pushed it over the line he must have known it was going in anyway, but seeing as the whole of the Town End were chanting "only one Ned Flinders," they obviously had the same view as me, and to a man totally agreed it was Ned’s goal. How many times has that happened - for a keeper to score a goal in consecutive home games? Even if they were in different seasons?

Murray’s booking was totally unfair. He had his back to the man running in and gave a high kick to clear the ball. He was booked because the attacker rolled on the ground feigning injury. There was worse to come as the ref totally lost the game. I do not agree with players arguing with the ref as they risk getting stupid bookings and at the end of the day there are some stupid bookings on the match report tonight. Five yellows and two straight reds was enough for any game and it was not a dirty game, just the ref had his own interpretation of the rules that no one could follow, fan or player.

It was end-to-end stuff when they played football. Fat Jon Macken, who was a Pools target some time ago, really put himself about, as did the black winger Gnakpa - with a name like that he deserved to be sent off. Pools were playing some good football up to the box but Walsall were proving difficult to break down. A great cross from Monky skidded through the box and Nish just missed out. Solano back-heeled it into the goal mouth and it was put out for a corner. Still poor on delivery of corners unless it is a ploy to go deep with them, but someone had better tell the forwards where it is going to go.

Solano limped off after twenty minutes and Luscombe entered the fray, and he was good, controlling the game and bringing people in to the play. Sam was given a good long talking to by the ref but I thought Sam was playing the captain's role and keeping the ref from losing the plot completely. Surely it is his job to query strange decisions." Fat Jon Macken, who was a Pools target some time ago, really put himself about, as did the black winger Gnakpa - with a name like that he deserved to be sent off."

Luscombe has got three games to think about the challenge he made today. Sweeney is out, and possibly Solano, giving an opportunity that Luscombe will miss because of a two footed lunge, he was off the ground, and he should have judged before coming on that this ref was trigger happy. The opposition player also left a foot in the groin of Luscombe. There was some confusion when he went off as to whether it was because he had had treatment, but when he went straight down the tunnel it was game up for him. The incompetent ref who had just sent two players off then gave a dropped ball, how strange is that?

Fat Jon brought down Lidds with a tackle from behind, and three yellow cards followed this little fracas. It should have been a red for Fat Jon but he escaped simply because it was getting farcical now.

Poole was brought on for Boyd again, but once again Boydie was playing well, and Muzzer looked as if he was limping, but he did last the game out. Monky took on a defender and looked to get round him and the lino put his flag up for a foul by Monky as the defender fell to the deck. I was nearer than him and I seen no foul. It was one of those games where the ref had decided that as this lot were arguing, and the crowd don’t like me, so I will give them sod all. So if it was not for the penalty he gave them and the fact our keeper can score despite what Nish might claim, we could have had three points today.

Roll on Tuesday. With Murray looking injured, Luscombe out for three, Solano injured and Sweeney out, and tonight I hear Lidds has a broken cheek bone it, has not been a good day at the office, and looks to be a struggle on Tuesday against Udders, who were one of the hardest teams last season. On a positive note we played some good football when we were allowed to. Nish deserved his M O T M tag but other contenders were many. Aussie, Hartley, Sam Flinders, Monky, Liddle and Bodyie all putting in a good shift. Horwood was a bit wayward with his free kicks but still did well.

A tough old game today in front of 5170 fans but a very disappointing 170 from Walsall, so maybe the threat of a snub over ticket prices was true. 

   

Pools 1 - Sheffield U 1 (Pools lose on pens)

AS I SEEN IT

RUNNING MONKEY goes to penalties

As I entered the ground from the Mill House side on a pleasant sunny evening there was a distinct buzz about the place. As I took up residence in my usual spot in the town end, the distinct buzz was quite audible. One fan suggested it was Codyakker’s belly playing up after last night's curry, but it turns out there was a problem with the electrics, and three men with their heads stuck in the box below the pylon were checking out the buzz. The upshot was there would be a delay in proceedings.

Fifteen minutes is a long time in the life of a fan and, as rumours of the first refund of the season started to circulate, the teams came out again to warm up, and this time they were not it training gear, game on. 2774 fans look a lot more than that when they spread themselves around including the 449 plus Lawrence in the Rink End.

News that Pools had let two strikers leave came as a bit of a surprise, Mackay has returned to Gosforth and Greulich signed for Durham City. As neither of them had really had any opportunity to show much in the first team, the consensus was they were never going to make the breakthrough anyway, but we wish them well.

Danny Wilson was on the line, not with arms folded - he has a new stance now to go with his prestige job - hands in pockets, laid back against the dug-out, easy peasey style. How did he get another job in Sheffield after his antics at the Wendies and Swindle, some of the Blades fans are still asking why.

The Blades looked a good mixture of tall defenders and some good ball players, especially Quinn and the ex-Poolie Mackem loanee Collins, who was a good player for Pools in the Sheff defence. An early raid by Sheff saw Ned scrambling as a ball cut right through the box from the wing and luckily was missed by all. Ned was scrambling again on the edge of his box and dropped the ball but made a good recovery under pressure. Nish did well to chase down and win a long ball out and eventually won a corner from it but the cross was far too long, but Pools were putting a bit of pressure on and winning the ball in the middle of the park and putting it straight back in the box.

Aussie was chopped down and the ref waived play on, and Hartley, given the same treatment was awarded the free kick but there were just signs of a dithering official in the middle of the park. Their goal was made easy as the wide man unchallenged down the left played a ball in from almost the dead ball line and three men covering two in the middle could not stop the lively Quinn from bundling the ball in to take the lead. Sam was leading by example and not wasting any ball. One cross field ball set up Monky who charged on, jinked back, and expected Horwwod to make the play forward, but he just stood watching and the attack fizzled out." Danny Wilson was on the line, not with arms folded - he has a new stance now to go with his prestige job - hands in pockets, laid back against the dug-out, easy peasey style"

Boydie looked up for this game and looks lean and fit. A nice Cryuff turn saw Boydie in space. He set up Monky, who chipped in for Nish. His effort was cleared to Sweeney who hit it over the bar. Some good football from Pools. Nish won a corner and Horwood sent in a good ball that Monky connected with, and I was marking it down one all as the ball pinged around the woodwork and came back out. Another Pools corner saw Solano test the keeper at the near post with a good drive that brought the half to an end.

End to end stuff in the second half with both teams wasting chances. Ned made another good block from a testing low shot. Lidds had a header that landed on top of the net. The three subs came on as Pools stepped up their game looking for the equaliser and Poole came out of a tackle and fed Luscombe who played the perfect chip in front of Sweeney, who rifled the ball home. This brought the end of Sweeney’s game as he went off injured, sounds like a groin strain that may keep him out for a while. I remember this happening late last season and he was back in next game. More importantly Pools were down to ten men and heading for extra time.

Sheff tried to take advantage of the extra man but Pools more than held their own; one lucky escape saw the ball rebound off the post as Ned was scrambling across his box. Being a man short Horwood had moved upfield and was shooting on sight. Ned found himself exposed and took on three Sheff players and psyched them out, forcing them to hit wide.

Penalties it was then.

Danny Wilson went on to speak to the ref, obviously trying to get the pens taken at the Rink End. The official picked up the ball and pointed to the Town End, leaving Danny with egg on his face.

Horwood, Poole and Luscombe all hit perfect penalties, but Nish looked too casual and hit his shot into the Town End. Not to be outdone, Ned saved the next shot and Aussie took his well. Sam had his effort saved, but why was Monky, the self-styled best player on the team, not in the penalty takers list? It was left to Phyllis Kirk to take the honours for the Blades.

Despite the result, it was a very good cup game against relative strangers, who we will have the opportunity to make amends against. It was a sterling performance by Pools, especially for the last forty minutes, when we were down to ten men.

MK Dons 2 - Pools 2

AS I SEEN IT

ALAN ESSEX watches the first match of the season

For those of you that know my style when it comes to writing match reports will know that I begin with a preamble taking in the opposition’s social demography, heritage and architectural merits. In this instance I would like to make an exception.

In the 81^st minute Poole was introduced in place of the tiring Nish who I thought had worked hard and shown promise. This substitution proved to be a piece of tactical wizardry by Mick Wadsworth. Four minutes after his introduction he was fed a ball by Luscombe, himself a substitute, after he won the ball well, near the half way line. Keeping the ball at his feet he then circled around the player he’d beaten and played an accurate pass to Poole who beat 3 opposition players as he ran over a third of the pitch he then calmly beat their keeper in what was probably the best solo goal I’ve seen live. This made the score 1-2 to Pools with the supporters split into 2 as to their reaction, half were cheering & jumping about wildly whilst the other half were just standing / sitting with mouths agape trying to work out if they had really seen what had happened or dreamt it in one of those tricks the mind plays.

Right, now to the start, apologies but Poole’s goal just couldn’t wait. I know that many people do not have a lot of respect for Milton Keynes Dons bearing in mind the clubs history and them being labelled a franchise. I can see where people object, uprooting a club from its ‘home’ and moving them to another part of the country is rather against the principle of a clubs local history and at the same time gives an area with no connection to the club a ready made league side, thus saving the hassle of battling up through the non-league pyramid. Some of us ‘older’ supporters may remember Scarborough wanting to do the same with Pools. What I would say is that anyone who remembers the awful ground that was Plough Lane with its terrible transport links & access and our poor record there should be grateful of their relocation. For those that say that AFC Wimbledon is the true representative of all things football in terms of Wimbledon let me just say that AFC Wimbledon’s ‘home’ ground is Kingstonian in Kingston upon Thames. The other reason I have no qualms is that over the road to the MK Dons stadium is the home of Marshall Amplification, surely the epitome of proper noise making.

This is MK Dons 4^th season at their new stadium and it still looks good. The legroom is good and the seats cushioned, the views are excellent as are the facilities inside of the ground. The big downside is that it has a 22,000 capacity and the 7287 in attendance looked like about 3,000 with vast swathes of empty seating – reminiscent of another ground whose name I have temporarily ignored.

A good turn out of Poolies (479) no doubt boosted by the promotion in the Sun who are trying desperately to buy back popularity and therefore influence.

I was somewhat confused to see Lol patrolling the perimeter area just outside of the ground hawking Monkey Business – didn’t he remember that it’s only available on-line now. Oh well, old habits die hard. In the future when MB will be transmitted directly to our synapses will Lol still be seen outside of grounds calling “get your Monkey Business, still free online”?

Well now to the game as I saw it. Nothing unexpected in the line up with Solano on the right of midfield, Liddle and Sweeney in the centre and Monkhouse on the left. Up front the pairing was Nish and Boyd, the defence being as usual from last season.

" ...the 7287 in attendance looked like about 3,000 with vast swathes of empty seating – reminiscent of another ground whose name I have temporarily ignored"

MK started much the brighter with Flinders having to make some important saves. Powell the MK right winger was consistently getting the better of Horwood who apart from an accurate final ball to Boyd that led to our first goal was having his worst game I’ve seen him play. Solano was consistently being beaten when he came back to help out the defence and had it not been for Austin who in contrast to Horwood was having one of his best games we would have been in real trouble. In all honesty I was disappointed with Solano, there were occasional flashes of class and inspiration but he looked like he was expecting more time and space – welcome to League One Nobby. I’m sure he will get acclimatised to the pace of things in time. The shape the team were taking was 4-4-1-1 with Boyd playing behind Nish, it was good to see the rejuvenated Boyd getting back to help the midfield and at times the defence. And at about 20 minutes Boyd got his reward, Monkhouse did well on the left wing beating his defender before giving an accurate pass to Horwood whose running and positioning on this occasion were spot on, a clever cross to the far post beat Nish but fell to Boyd who headed into the net from close range.

MK continued to dominate but Flinders and Collins were up to the challenge when it mattered. Despite this domination Pools had a few opportunities to increase their lead, twice Monkhouse took wild shots from just outside of the penalty area to see them sail by the corner flag. Both Nish and Sweeney had chances but not on target.

Still 1-0 at half time was good going.

In the second half MK stepped up their game and 10 minutes in they were level, Chadwick who was getting stick from a section of the Pools supporters (for his looks rather than any malpractice) got on the end of a well worked move and shot past Flinders 1-1.

MK continued to press and in all honesty it looked just a matter of time before they took the lead. As mentioned both Collins and Austin were holding the defence together, with Horwood looking a liability and Hartley getting pulled out of position too easily. With the midfielders having to come back to defend there was little outlet to get the ball clear meaning we were constantly under attack.

Luscombe came on to replace Solano just under the hour – shape wise what an unlikely looking footballer he is, however he was determined and prepared to get much more involved than Solano had. A few minutes later Boyd was replaced by Murray, signalling that the management were content with the draw. Now we get to where this report began. Luscombe’s winning of the ball, his pass to Poole, Poole’s great run and finish.

MK as expected did not give up and on 90 minutes equalised through Ibhere, a substitute for Chadwick. This followed some poor defending – I’ve already named earlier the suspects I feel were at fault.

In time added on MK had a good shout for a penalty which was waved away by the referee (Andy D’urso, who had a very good game). Now usually something like this would go against us, so maybe this is our season after all.

An away draw against one of the promotion favourites is a good start; let’s hope we can build on this. Positive points from the game were Poole and Luscombe’s debut / substitute appearances, the consistency of Austin, Flinders and Collins, persistence of Sweeney and the discipline of the team in retaining formation.

I thought the burgundy coloured away strip was classy and by far the best we’ve had for a long time. Onwards and quite possibly upwards. Having said that, we started the day 9th on alphabetical merit and are still 9th so maybe onwards and sideways for a while.