Barnet Report

By Eggy_Poolie
November 5 2006

Another frustrating afternoon at The Vic. Hartlepool dominated the game and once against missed chance after chance and were hit on the break.

Once again Hartlepool dominated a game, created all the chances and failed to score. The fans couldn't help but vent their frustration with the manager. Barnet came with a game plan and it worked as they managed to win the game with a fantastic 25 yard strike from Cogan in the 83rd minute.

Hartlepool started the game the brighter side and all the fans thought we went in front when Darryl Duffy headed the ball into th net only for the linesman to disallow it for offside. Pools went close through Matty Robson and Gary Liddle had a left foot effort go wide of the mark.

Hartlepool then hit the bar after Jon Daly had an effort. His effort hit off the Barnet keeper then rose onto the crossbar. In the first half Dimi didn't have to make one save and the Hartlepool midfield controlled the game.

After the break Barnet upped their tempo but it was still Hartlepool who controlled the game. Matty Robson missed a header from close range and Michael Nelson often tested the keeper with headers from set pieces.

Before Cogans goal he tested the Hartlepool goal with several long shots but Hartlepool kept creating chances Boland and Foley came close and then Micky Nelson hit the crossbar with a looping header.

The game seemed to change after Wilson made 2 substitutions. He brought Darryl Duffy off for Ali Gibb and Jon Daly for Lee Bullock. So Hartlepool played the rest of game with Foley and Bullock upfont (remembering that Bullock is a centre midfielder).  

Barnet then took the lead when Cogan hammered the ball into the top corner from 25 yards and it was to much for some fans as they started leaving the ground. Wilson had to do something and he brought on E Williams for David Foley but it was to late in the game for Williams to take effect.

Hartlepool struggled to get the ball into the box. Matty Robson made some bad crosses and Ali Gibb seems to be allergic to the by line and all his crosses were coming in from deep straight to the goalkeeper.

Despite the chances it was a poor game and the Hartlepool fans had good reason to feel frustrated.