Swindon Review
By Eggy_Poolie
August 5 2006
Well it was a day that the Swindon keeper won't forget in a hurry. Pools battered the Swindon defence but just couldn't find a way through
Will we ever have a more frustrating afternoon?
Somehow we were beaten by one player. Swindon's keeper, Brezovan, was inspirational and made save after save to keep Pools at bay.
4 000 Poolies showed up at the Vic and made a great amtosphere and after only 2 minuted they were almost repaid for their great support when Joel Porter won a penalty. He bravely stepped up to take the penalty himself but Brezovan palmed the shot away and was quickly back to his feet to save the rebound.
The first half was dominated by Pools but it was Swindon that took the lead. Swindon won a corner and it was delivered in and headed home by former Sheff Wed and Bristol man Lee Peackock. Pools were 1-0 down but many would feel hard done by as it did seem as though both Dimi and Nelson were fouled before Peacock got his head to the ball.
The rest of the half was dominated by Pools, Matty Robson made some great runs down the left and Humphreys, Tinkler and Bullock controlled the midfield. Porter had a great deflected chance but Brezovan was once again equal to the Aussies effort. Swindon often tried to counter attack Pools with chances from Roberts and Peacock but they rarely troubled Kostantopolous.
The second half would prove to be a sheer nightmare for the Pools forwards - no matter what they did it just wouldnt go in. Eifion Williams came on and saw his close range header bounce of the cross bar. Just moments later the ball was crossed in by Williams and Joel Porters header bounced off the foot of the post.
On 71 minuted Pools were handed another lifeline after Joel Porters run into the box resulted in him being brought down and Pools had another penalty kick. This time Humphreys was to have the honours but his powerful penalty was once again well saved and Browns follow up ended up in the Town End.
What more could go wrong. We had hit the woodwork twice and missed 2 penalties. It was obviously not our day.
Dimi: 7 - Quite game
M Robson: 8 - Some great runs up the left wing
M Nelson: 9 - Solid as usual
B Clarke: 8 - Solid but seemed slow at times
D Williamd: 6 - Some good play but seemed to lack passion.
R Humphreys: 9 - Superb, the only thing stopping him getting a 10 was the missed penalty
L Bullock: 8 - Great game and helped hold the midfield together
M Tinkler: 7 - Some great passes and plenty of fire
Daly: 7 - Some great touches in the first half but seemed to slow down towards the end
Porter: 8 - Some great work upfront and caused problems all game
Brown: 7 - Plenty of skill but little strength and poor in the air