Grimsby Report


By Eggy_Poolie
December 27 2006

Grimsby came to defend playing a 4-5-1 formation but Pools overcame it in style and in the end it was a matter of how many will we score. Goals by Jon Daly and Andy Monkhuose were enough to seal the win

Hartlepool celebrated a very merry Christmas with another win to add to the winning run. Goals from Jon Daly and Andy Monkhouse were enough to seal the win.

Hartlepool started the game already boosted by the news that Andy Monkhouse’s loan from Swindon had been extended. Wilson was able to name an unchanged side.

 

Boxing day brought more fans than normal to the Vic and a crowd of 5290 (451 from Grimsby) created a decent atmosphere inside the ground.

 

The game started slowly and both sides had spells of possession but no real chances were created in the early stages. On the 15-minute mark Pools won a spell of quick corner, which were easily dealt with by the Grimsby back line. The best chances of the opening half did fall Pool’s. The first of which saw Andy Monkhouse lash the ball over the bar from 20+ yards out and the other from Ben Clarke who went up for a corner but when the ball landed at his feet he went for power over accuracy and hit shot blazed wide.

It was then time to panic for Pools when star player Nelson went down injured. The physio ran on and signalled to the bench for a substitution. Wilson decided to bring on Jon Daly. Gary Liddle was moved to centre back, Tony Sweeney to centre-mid and E Williams to right wing.


Grimsby only created one chance in the first half and their tactics seemed to be working. They played 4-5-1 and played the majority of the first half with most of their players behind the ball

 

Half Time

Hartlepool United 0-0 Grimsby Town

 

It didn’t take long for Pools to take the lead. On 52 minutes Jon Daly headed home from Willie Boland’s corner. It was the striker’s first goal since 30th September when he managed to score a hat trick against Wrexham.

On 56 minutes James Brown made his return from injury and was swapped for E Williams. 

Hartlepool were then denied what seemed to be a clear penalty. Tony Sweeney made a strong run and seemed to be brought down but the referee decided that a goal kick should be given. Suggesting that the defender didn’t get the ball. Not his only dodgy decision it must be said. Just 60 seconds later Ben Clarke had his effort cleared off the line. This time he went for accuracy over power and his feeble shot was easily cleared.

Dimi made his first save of the game on 76 minutes. A free kick from the right was headed towards goal but Dimi stretched out and made the save. He then made another good save just after when a shot from distance was well held.

Hartlepool almost made it two when Sweeney hooked Jon Daly’s cross towards goal. However from the resulting corner Andy Monkhouse got a foot to the ball and it went in the net to the surprise of most the ground.

Wilson made his final substitution late on when Darryl Duffy was replaced by Ali Gibb, Pools saw out the remainder of the game to seal the seventh straight victory

 

Full Time

Hartlepool United 2-0 Grimsby Town

 

3

Goal Attempts

4

2

On Target

1

6

Crosses

5

12

Corners

2

1

Offside

1

11

Fouls

9

2

Yellow Cards

2

0

Red Cards

0

61

%

39

 

 

Hartlepool have certainly rewritten the record books over the last 2 months. It is now 7 straight wins and 6 clean sheets are certainly nothing short of sensational.

 

"It's a terrific run isn't it and the boys really showed their determination today," Danny Wilson.

 

Man of the Match: Willie Boland.

Boland has turned into a superb signing with a string of sensational performances from centre midfield. Against Grimsby he controlled play from the centre and it was his corners that set up the two goals for Pools