If only they were all as easy as this for Pools

If only Hartlepool United could play Yeovil every week, life in League One would be a lot less fraught. Recording their third win of the season over the Somerset side was as easy as they come and the three points must surely make absolutely sure of safety.

They might not be there mathematically, but with a 12-point gap between Pools and the drop zone and half-a-dozen or so games to play, they are all but there – teams with 54 points are rarely relegated.

The outlook for Pools didn’t match the bright weather when Yeovil took a tenth-minute lead with a wonder goal from John Obika, whose looping volley into the top corner gave Scott Flinders no chance.

But a goal just as rare got Pools level on 18 minutes, rare because it was scored by one-time goal machine Adam Boyd, his close-range finish giving him his first goal since August. If the Boyd of old had been playing for Pools all season, they would be a lot better off.

Pools were in command for the rest of the game, but had to wait until the game was just over an hour old to take the lead, Sam Collins tapping in after Leon McSweeney’s corner. sub Colin Larkin was also close in when his clean finish got the third on 70 minutes, and it was all over bar the shouting.

The result, and the performance, underlined the topsy-turvy season Pools have had, though the return of Antony Sweeney after injury helped the cause.

At the moment Pools are probably exactly what the League table suggests they are – a mid-table team.

But boss Mick Wadsworth is already talking about strengthening his squad by using his many connections in the game, especially with the North East’s big three, to sign a group of young and hungry players who are sure to be available as football looks to cut its costs.

He told the Northern Echo: “I'm trying to build that relationship with the local clubs.

“There will be free transfers at all levels this summer, not just the lower leagues.

"The logic of picking players up locally are obvious. There's not the resettlement issue and that saves a lot of problems and some expenditure.”

In the short term, meanwhile, Wadsworth is determined to finish the season with 60 or more points. He was pleased with the Yeovil performance, describing it as a professional team effort.

They’ll need more of those if his 60-point target is to be reached.