Posh report
By Eggy_Poolie
December 31 2006
Darryl Duffy made it a happy new year at the Vic with his 5th goal for Pools which came in the 90th minute. Pools dominated play and could have easily won by a far greater margin
Hartlepool recorded their 8th straight victory thanks to a late goal from Darryl Duffy. Hartlepool dominated all of the play but just couldn’t find the back of the net until the 90th minute.
Pools line-up was slightly different to that which played Grimsby on Boxing Day. Michael Nelson was forced out through injury so was replaced by Gary Liddle at centre back. Tony Sweeney went to centre midfield, E Williams went to right wing and James Brown went up front.
It took just 3 minutes for Pools to create their first chance. E Williams had his shot at goal blocked and Darryl Duffy just couldn’t get the ball under control and the Peterborough defence managed to clear the ball for a corner. Pools kept on the early pressure and on 5 minutes Andy Monkhouse smashed a strike from 25 yards over the bar.
On minutes a countdown started in the Town End to recognise Pools 10 hours without conceding a goal. After the countdown all 3 stands burst into applause for the players who achieved a quite remarkable record.
The first half was practically all one way but Peterborough did look dangerous on the break. Danny Crow and Aaron McLean both tested Dimi. However McLean was booked for his efforts. He was played through the middle but Dimi came out and collected the ball. McLean decided he might be able to win a penalty so he dived over the top of Dimi only to get a yellow card and a fist full of abuse from the Town End.
Pools however created the best chances of the half with Tony Sweeney coming close after collecting a through ball from Willie Boland and having his shot blocked by the keeper.
Darryl Duffy then came close when his shot from 25 yards went just over the crossbar and then he had another effort go just wide after he battles his way through the Posh defence.
Hartlepool didn’t stop the chances coming with shots from Boland, Brown, Humphreys and Sweeney keeping on-loan Posh Keeper Rachubka on his toes.
Half Time
Hartlepool 0-0 Peterborough
The second half continued in the same fashion as the first with Pools dominating play but struggling to get it in the net.
Duffy then came within centimetres of opening the scoring. He beat the defence and was through 1-on-1 with the keeper but his effort went just wide and a corner was given but I’m not entirely sure if the keeper actually touched the ball.
James Brown started to finally show why so much hype was made about him and he did look lively in possession with some good touches but still nothing from him to suggest he really will be then next big thing at the Vic.
Danny Wilson made 2 substitutions late on which changed the game. Lee Bullock came on for Brown after 78 minutes and then David Foley came on for E Williams, who had played superbly all game.
Foley really did cause problems out on the right and often looked to cut inside to test the Posh keeper. As the minutes ticked away it looked like Peterborough might hang on and steal a point.
It took 90 minutes but the breakthrough finally came. Foley cut in from the right wing and had a shot at goal which was saved by the legs of Rachubka. The ball bounced into the air and straight to Duffy who managed to wrestle the ball home to the delight of the full ground (obviously with the exception of the Rink End).
Full Time
Hartlepool United 1-0 Peterborough
"A draw wouldn't have been the end of the world but I think, with our determination, we deserved the win." Darryl Duffy
"I thought it was nothing less than we deserved because we totally dominated the game from start to finish.” Danny Wilson
“Controlled performance which resulted in the deserved victory” Eggy_Poolies dad
I have personally never seen a more one sided 1-0 victory since I started watching pools and it was great to see the determination and patience of the Pools players. It was great to break the record of longest clean sheet and most back-to-back wins. Another thing that made victory all the sweeter yesterday was the fact Darlo lost 7 games on the bouce (6 league and 1 cup)
Man of the match: E Williams
Williams was sensational on the right wing. His passing, dribbling and work rate were superb. There were several players up for man of the match but I thought E Williams was just a different class on the night.
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Game Statistics | ||||||||
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20 |
Goal Attempts |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
On Target |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
Crosses |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
Corners |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Offside |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
Fouls |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53 |
% |
47 |
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