Poole double earns Pools overdue victory

It was well overdue, and just as well deserved, as injury-hit Hartlepool United earned their first victory of the League One season with a great team display at Rochdale that showed the travelling fans just what the team might be capable of this season.  

Rochdale won’t be amongst the front-runners this season, and Pools won’t be the last team to win at Spotland, but that shouldn’t take anything away from a great result – skipper Sam Collins was missing with a hamstring injury, but Neil Austin did well in his place after switching from right-back and Gary Liddle returned to midfield wearing a protective mask over his cheekbone injury.

Boss Mick Wadsworth was delighted with the result and told the club website: “It’s a great testament to the squad. In every game we’ve never been far away and probably should have a few more points, but it was a terrific performance.

“But we have a squad this year where I don’t worry too much because I think everyone is ready to do in and do a bit.

“We’ve got Nobby Solano, Sam Collins, Colin Nish, Antony Sweeney, Nathan Luscombe and Colin Larkin to come back. They are important players, but they’ll find it difficult to get back in the team.”

James Poole was the scoring hero, just a week after clearly being upset after being subbed. He went on early this time, replacing the injured Nish in the first half, and scored two well-taken goals to clinch victory.

Adam Boyd had headed Pools in front early on after Andy Monkhouse’s great cross, but a player with a name that doesn’t sound like he comes from Rochdale, Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro, volleyed a good equalizer soon afterwards.

Pools had to do their share of defending before Poole gave them breathing space two minutes into the second half, a great volley after another Monkhouse pass.

It was the second game running that Pools were 2-1 up in the second half away from home, but this time they showed they had learned their lesson from Stevenage and not only held on, but clinched victory three minutes from time when a Richie Humphreys pass gave Poole the chance to slot home his second.

A Johnstones Paints Trophy visit to Scunthorpe on Tuesday night interupts the League season, but that contiunues next Saturday when Pools are at home to Exeter, who won 2-1 at home to struggling Chesterfield on Saturday.