Travesty of Justice
12 September 2007
Leeds United 2 Hartlepool 0
Sometimes results in football do not do justice to the game. The score line at the end of this match was certainly not reflective of the game today. Leeds United might have won the 3 points but Pools must certainly have won over many fans because they completely dominated the second half of the game and the score line flattered the hosts.
Danny Wilson stated that he was “dumstruck” and confessed after the match that he would probably not see the players play better football than he saw today. He should be very proud of the lads because they gave their all but sometimes it is just not your day and today was one of them.
Leeds United had won their first 4 games of the season before this game but Pools were certainly not overawed. Despite Leeds looking dangerous on the break Pools had early chances with the first falling to James Brown who kicked over the post. Nearly 28000 fans (just over 2000 poolies) roared their teams on and the large attendance did not faze the Pools players at all. Seb Carole for Leeds had their first chance with a driving kick dipping just under the bar. This was an early warning for Pools because Frazer Richardson down the right had pace and delivery and proved an handful for Nelson to mark. It was Richardson who whipped in a cross to Tresor Kandol who whipped the ball into the back of the net on 19 minutes.
This spurred Pools on and from then on Pools dominated. Pools had a chance to draw level when Robbie Elliot’s cross was headed towards goal by Richie Barker. The keeper held the ball but most of his body crossed the line and the Pools players and the fans thought that it was a goal but the referee did not. The next chance for Pools fell to Goodwin Antwi who blasted a spectacular shot from 20 yards but the Leeds keeper did well to block for a corner kick. Pools began to look increasingly confident and the Leeds fans reacted noisily to this. Half time ended with Pools looking the most dominant and Danny Wilson had plenty of positives to take into the dressing room.
Pools had a very early chance to equalise when Andy Monkhouse pressed forward down the left and passed to Richie Barker whose header was saved by the keeper yet again. Just minutes later heartbreak as Leeds broke after James Brown lost possession, Jermaine Beckford chipped our keeper splendidly to go 2 – 0 up. Pools were dominating after that and had chance after chance hitting the woodwork, saves from the keeper and Danny Wilson’s men threw everything they had at Leeds United. It was not Hartlepool’s day today as they did everything they possibility could but the ball just would not go into the net.
The game ended 2 – 0 to Leeds but Pools must take the positives from the game and take it out on Swindon next week at the Vic !!!
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