Pools beaten but not stirred!
12 August 2007
Attendance: 8013
Luton 2 Hartlepool 1
Pools might have been beaten by a poorer Luton side but it should not stir them, they were the better side.
Pools started the game well with Ian Moore twice going close before Luton scored against the run of play. Danny Wilson's new-look Hartlepool made a bright start with James Brown latching onto a Gary Liddle through ball and rounding the keeper inside the opening five minutes. But the angle got too tight for the youngster and his cut-back was smuggled behind for a corner. Soon after, new boy Ian Moore saw a clipped effort slide across the face of goal after he was released with a neat lay-off by strike partner Richard Barker from a slick pass from Willie Boland.
Darren Currie stepped inside his marker and expertly placed his shot into the bottom left-hand corner. Ritchie Humphreys then should have drawn Pools level but drilled his shot wide when well placed.
Luton's Alan Goodall wasted a chance when his low free-kick was saved by Pools goalkeeper Lee-Barrett. But Goodall made amends when he glanced home a Currie's corner late in the game.
Richie Barker netted a last-minute consolation, converting a penalty when Chris Perry fouled Antony Sweeney.
The result was harsh on the Victoria Park men as they dominated the game for long spells and the early indication is that they will have no problems adjusting to the new division after promotion last term.
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