Hull report

By Eggy_Poolie
September 20 2006

Danny Wilson called on his players to improve after Saturdays drumming by Shrewsbury and his players delivered but once again it was Pools' inability to score penalties that cost them game as they went down 3-2 to Hull City on spot kicks

Hartlepool United had to play a lot better than they did on saturday to challenge Hull. And they did. In the end it took a penalty shoot-out to end the game and once again Hartlepool United failed to impress from 12 yards.

It was a good start by the visitors, who looked to have put Saturdays dire performance behind them. Wilson changed the side putting John Brackstone back at left back and Gary Liddle moved to centre midfield along side Tony Sweeney. Joel Porter was also played up front alongside Jon Daly.

Hartlepool came close to breaking the deadlock after the impressive Daly flicked the ball out wide to Porter. Porter then returned the ball to Daly with a good right wing cross but Daly's poked effort just went wide of the post. Just moments later Tony Sweeney tested the Hull goal but his long shot went wide of the post.

Dimi saved Pools several times and made some great saves from Barmby and Fagan. And Hull came very close when Ryan France's curled effort hit the side netting and was very close to going in.

It is no secret that Ben Clarke isnt a prolific goal scorer but he came very close after a free kick into the area. His shot was well saved by the hull keeper and then Joel Porter failed to put in the rebound. With the half coming to a close Matty Robson had a very good volley saved after some good build up play by Jon Daly and Joel Porter. Without a chance though the best chance of the first half was a free kick by Gary Liddle rifled the side netting with the keeper beaten.

The second half was completely different with Hull controlling the game and Hartlepool had to rely on breaks to trouble the Hull defense. Hull came close with a good header from Duffy. Hull then almost had Dimi blushing in his goal after a cross from Fagan had Dimi stranded but he still managed to tip the ball onto the crossbar. Then Fagan played another good cross and this time Dimi dropped the ball and it fell to John Parkin who had the chance to smash the ball into the open goal. Instead he tapped in and Dimi just saved himself before the ball crossed the line.

The game ended 0-0 and extra time was needed.

The first half of extra time saw Pools camped in their own half and Hull dominated play coming close to winning after chances from Duffy, Marney and Elliot.

Pools did have one chance after the break when Liddle slid the pass through to David Foley but his first touch was too strong so the Hull keeper collected the ball comfortably.Pools defense dug deep and Foley looked dangerous up front.

Hull werent finished with their chances though and Marney and Duffy both missed late chances

In the end penalties were needed and the way Pools have been taking them only an idiot would bet on them to win.

In the end Liddle, Clarke and Brown all missed and Foley and Brackstone scored as Pools lost 3-2 on spot kicks