Penalty sickener for Pools

Mick Wadsworth says his team played magnificently as they went out of the Carling Cup on penalties at home to Sheffield United, and while all managers usually look at the positives even after defeat, it's difficult to argue with his theory.  

Danny Wilson’s Blades sneaked through in the end, but they know it could just as easily have been Pools after more than two hours of tension.

The deciding factor was the loss of Antony Sweeney through injury just after he scored Pools equalizer with ten minutes left. Not only was Sweeney playing well, but having used all their subs Pools had to ply the rest of normal time and the extra 30 minutes with ten men.

Sweeney, of course, was also missing for the shoot-out.

“It’s disappointing, but there’s no disgrace in losing tonight,” Wadsworth told the club website. “The game hinged on the moment Antony Sweeney was injured.

“We played well throughout, even in the first half when we didn’t deserve to be behind.

“It really was a magnificent effort from the lads – we had a real go in extra time and took a calculated risk.”

There are fears that Sweeney could be out for a while with a groin injury, and he would be a big miss. But the team performance against the Blades was an encouraging one.

Stephen Quinn had opened the scoring for the Blades in the first half after a power cut delayed the start by 15 minutes, but Sweeney’s well-taken goal after sub Nathan Luscombe’s great pass was long overdue and well deserved.

Level after five pens each, Pools lost when skipper Sam Collins had his spot kick saved and Sheffield United scored their next.

Now comes the season’s first home League game, Walsall – given a good hiding at home by Bore-o on Tuesday – are at the Vic on Saturday afternoon as the record-breaking season ticket sales get the first chance to boost the gate.