Soldem Oldham
1st September 2007
Hartlepool 4 Oldham 1
What a match in which Pools turned on the quality to show that they mean business in the league this season. Pools came from behind to win comfortably against a good Oldham team.
Goals from Ian Moore, James Brown, Richie Barker (Pen) and Joel Porter sealed the fate of Oldham who at the beginning of the season were hotly- tipped following their play off finish last season. The match had been dominated by the pre match reports about Lee Hughes being selected into Oldham’s team following his release from prison in the last week. The crowd booed him every time he got the ball but I am sure that Hughes would have expected no more.
Pools started very strong but despite this they ended up going 1 – 0 down totally against the run of play. Craig Davis for Oldham caught Goodwin Antwi unaware and it was because of this one mistake by Antwi that the visitors took the lead in the 14th minute that lasted barely one minute. Pools blasted down the other end and James Brown had some excellent play opening up the defence of Oldham and then passing to Andy Monkhouse who was back in his first game for Pools following his 5 match suspension. Monkhouse was lively and passed the ball to Moore who equalised for Pools in the 15th minute of the game.
Ian Moore is looking to be a very good signing for Pools, he works tirelessly all over the park and wins balls, he is looking stronger each game and will be vital to Pools success this season. Jamie McCunnie is also looking strong and Pools look to have one of the strongest defences in the league again this year.
Richie Barker worked hard again, he is excellent in holding up the ball and reading the game to make things happen. He is strong and hard to knock off the ball but looks like he is blowing for a tug even from the first minute of the match.
The second goal for Pools came in the 26th minute of the game when Jamie McCunnie made space for himself down the right, passing the ball to James Brown who passed to Anthony Sweeney on the edge of the area. Sweeney took the ball down and lifted it over the defence back to Brown who battled with Oldham defender John Thompson before slotting it into the bottom left hand of the net. The game was very physical and Sweeney hobbled off with what looks like a hamstring injury. He was substituted by Ritchie Humphries who was given a rousing reception from the home supporters - who do love Ritchie.
The third goal came when Andy Monkhouse rose for the ball but was judged to have been bundled off it by Oldham’s Sean Gregan. I must say as a fan in the Cyril Knowles stand, I thought this was very harsh to be awarded a penalty but we do have plenty times throughout the season were the results do not go our way. Up steps Richie Barker for the spot kick and made no mistake again, slamming it to the right of the keeper into the back of the net. 3 – 1 Pools. At half time the stewards who look after the executive boxes told me that the directors of Oldham had no objection to the penalty decision and thought it was the right decision but had this been given the other way I would have been shouting for the head of the referee !!
The second half got underway and within the first couple of minutes Pools should have had another penalty as Andy Monkhouse was clearly brought down by McDonald but the referee waved play on. Pools had large amounts of possession throughout the game and looked comfortable at all times. Despite attempts from Oldham to change things with a triple substitution which did give an initial boost to the game, Pools never really looked troubled.
Pools sealed the win when Joel Porter took the 4th goal really well. David Foley lifted to ball into Joel Porter who dribbled the keeper and placed the ball in the empty net. Porter made the goal look easy but it took skill and control to put the ball into the net.
Pools dominated the match from beginning to the end and look to making Victoria Park a fortress again this season.
Leeds United away next week – what a game this will be as Leeds have the only 100% record in the league managing to reduce a -15 points score to -3. Pools need to ensure that -3 points stays with Leeds next week and Pools can take the tally to 12 points !!! Pools are currently 3rd top and have played some decent teams already tipped to be in contention at the end of the season, no doubt we will have to be at our best next week.
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