NOT GOOD ENOUGH
15th September 2007
Hartlepool 1 Swindon 1
Pools must be happy to have received a point at home to the Robins today. Although we began the stronger team with Andy Monkhouse looking like he desperately wanted to score against his old team, we were predictable and not clinical enough. Pools can really frustrate the fans because we play some magnificent football but overplay at times and tend to have one touch too many losing the ball in the process.
The Robins looked like a good team, they were strong, fast and played some good football. Despite the initial setback for them losing defender Hasney Ajofree (who was stretchered off the pitch with what looked like a knee injury) they had the better chances forcing our keeper Jan Budtz to show why he has Pools number one shirt. He made a splendid double save after Billy Paynter blasted from inside the goal area forcing the save which landed to Simon Cox - Budtz managed to compose and make another fabulous save – who is Dimi Konstantopolous???
Both sides looked dangerous on the break but Swindon marked tighter than we did – Pools gave them too much room and they scored a terrific goal in the 31st minute with John Paul McGovern chipping the ball over Butdz and into the back of the net.
Pools were shaken by the goal and they had a couple of chances to equalise before the break but I must admit I was pleased when the whistle went because we just did not look right and Danny Wilson would be able to address this with his team talk. Wilson made two changes at half time with Joel Porter replacing Ian Moore upfront and Ali Gibb replacing Robbie Elliot. Ritchie Humphries moved to left back allowing Jamie McCunnie to switch to centre midfield where he dominated against Leeds last week.
Pools did dominate the second half and looked livelier but I could not see where we were going to get the goal from. David Foley was warming up on the sidelines and then Micky Nelson took a knock and was substituted in the 61st minute with Ben Clarke meaning our third sub had been used.
Joel Porter did look lively and his fierce determination paid dividends in the 70th minute. His strength and skill to dribble around several defenders on the ball was rewarded with a superb goal to draw Pools level. After enjoying most of the possession, Pools were forced to defend for the final 10 minutes of the match and Christian Roberts for Swindon got free and set the ball up for Sofiene Zaaboub who turned and only had Budtz to beat but he sent the ball wide of the goal. A corner from Swindon was met by the head of Chris Blackburn and Swindon fans must have thought they were about to score when Budtz made a superb save denying the visitors again. 4 minutes of extra time was announced and Pools must have thought that they should have had a penalty when James Brown was bundled over in the area but the ref waved away the appeals.
Pools settled for a draw and one point taking them into third place in the league but we must be more clinical next week for our away trip to Leyton Orient where our old goal scorer Adam Boyd appears to be on form to play his home town club.
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