Home breakthrough gives Pools a springboard

That’s more like it. After four unsuccessful attempts, Hartlepool United have at last got their first home League One win of the season, and it was far more comfortable than that run of results suggested it might be as Walsall were brushed aide without a lot of trouble. Now, with the team’s away form in good nick, the trick is to build on this breakthrough.

Now that the home duck has been broken, the team’s start to the season has not been a bad one at all, and Chris Turner’s rebuilt squad is showing clear signs of blending together more and more as a team.Turner made three changes, but not the big one expected as big Icelandic forward Armann Bjornsson was left on the bench. Instead Adam Boyd was given a long overdue start, and while he didn’t get on the scoresheet, he played his part in the win.He was partnered up front by Denis Behan, with James Brown dropping back to midfield in place of Leon McSweeney and Richie Humphreys (right) getting his first game of the season for Richie Jones.In defence, Neil Austin also got his first start, taking over at right-back from Steve Haslam, and Turner’s tinkering paid off with a smart team display.Humphreys made the opener for Andy Monkhouse on 25 minutes with a great pass into the area, and after Scott Flinders again underlined his massive value to the team with a one-handed save before the break, Pools made it two on 50 minutes.Boyd’s shot was cleared to Monkhouse, and he scored from just inside the area.
Fifteen minutes from the end, Brown’s pass gave sub Colin Larkin the chance to lob a clever goal to finish it off.Humphreys made his experience tell in the middle, where Pools have been lacking in some games, while Brown excelled wide on the right and Austin looked the part at the back.
Turner was more than happy with the result and the performance and he will be looking for that result to act as a springboard in the development of the team.
They have a serious test at Stockport on Tuesday night followed by the long journey to Exeter next weekend, so life in League One doesn't get any easier for Turner and hius men. At least this result eases the pressure and should do their confidence a lot of good.