Derby victory for Pools but Watson injured

By Albatross
September 14 2002

Apparently Pools best derby result since 1957 - and there can be no doubt who was the better side. It's not all good news for Pools though; Gordon Watson had to be carried off with a suspected knee injury.

Simian should have been there but is stuck in London, so this report comes to you courtesy of the Pools World Commentary.

CT made two changes for the derby game this afternoon, both of them expected; Gordon Watson came back in for Adam Boyd, and Tommy Widdrington made his first start of the season at the expense of Paul Arnison as Pools switched to 4-4-2.

Pools got off to the best possible start when they took the lead after only two minutes: Darryl Clarke played the ball into the right channel for Watson, and Gord flicked the ball on to EIFION WILLIAMS who rifled a right-foot shot past the helpless Collett; the Welshman's third of the season.

It was all Pools for the first 20 minutes, with further chances for Widds, Tinks, and then Williams again who hit the woodwork. Ford was booked for Darlington before a mistake let them back into the game; Barron tried to head back to his Keeper but misjudged it, allowing the inevitable IAN CLARK in to score the equaliser. Darlington were lifted by the goal and came back into the match, but ten minutes later Pools were once again in command; Watson again turned provider as he played WILLIAMS in for his second of the game.

Pools could have gone further ahead before half time, with Watson and Williams both forcing saves from Andy Collett, who once again was showing good form against Pools.

The second half was a scrappy affair for the first 15 minutes, but then Pools once again took charge. A great four man move was finished by RICHIE HUMPHREYS who stroked home to put Pools 3-1 up and the game beyond the Loids; Tommy Taylor responded by taking off Clark and Wainwright for Naylor and Hodgson, and following a booking Hadland made way for former Poolie Jon Cullen.

Pools were still very much in charge, but with 12 minutes to go there was a very sad sight. Gordon Watson went down after injuring his knee (no foul play involved) and had to be stretchered off. Adam Boyd came on to replace Flash, but the injury looked serious and may keep him out for a while.

It didn't take Boyd long to get into the thick of it; he won a free kick that saw Clarke booked for Darlington, and following the kick Lee saw his shot hit the bar; the ball rebounded out for Humphreys who crossed for TINKLER to strike Pools' fourth and finally finish the match as a contest. CT decided then to replace Williams with Henderson as Pools continued to dominate; even Darlington Commentator Ray Simpson was forced to admit that Pools looked more likely to score a fifth than the Loids to pull anything back. After four minutes of injury time the Ref blew to send the majority of the 6300 crowd home happy.

With Rushden and York drawing 0-0, this result sends Pools back to the top of Diviosn 3, with a two point margin. The injury to Watson is of course a worry, and Lincoln on Tuesday has the makings of a much tougher game than today, but for the moment most Poolies won't be thinking about that; it's a great day to be a Pools Fan!