Match Preview: Hartlepool United v Brentford

By Albatross
March 26 2004

It's been an emotional week for Hartlepool United, with the funeral of Frankie Baggs and death of Harold Hornsey. Pools fans will have their chance to pay tribute at Saturday's game with Brentford, and will be hoping for a win to dedicate to the memory of two heroes behind the scenes.

Brentford's season is one that is in desperate need of revival to avoid relegation to Division 3; although only two points away from safety, their form over the last few months has been so poor that they will now consider survival a major achievment. After reaching the dizzy heights of 13th in mid November, they then went on a run of just one win in nineteen league games that eventually cost Wally Downes his job.

Martin Allen is the new man in charge, despite legal action from his former club Barnet, and he managed a win last weekend against Rushden. This will be his first away game, and he's faced with having to turn round an away record that's seen them fail to win in their last ten attmpts, with six defeats. In fact, they have just three away wins and five draws to their credit - and have scored just 13 times away from Griffin Park.

Leading scorer for the Bees is Andy Hunt with 13; Jay Tabb has scored eight, and the on-loan Ben May seven. Brentford have however lost more players this week, most notably former Reading winger Tony Rougier. With Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson - a recent signing from Hucknall - serving a suspension after being sent off in his first game for the club, former trainee Alan Julian is likely to find himself behind a defence including two loanees in the form of Scott Fitzgerald (Colchester) and Ronnie Bull (Millwall).

For Pools, the good news this week has been the return of Michael Barron and Gavin Strachan, both of whom played for the reserves in midweek. Strachan is unlikely to be risked, but Barron may well return on the right side of defence. Adam Boyd looks a cert to continue following his brace at Grimsby.

Brentford may be looking for an improvment under Martin Allen, but Pools know that a win is needed if we are to stay in the playoff places. We should be able to record a victory, and with a big crowd expected a win would be a fitting tribute to Harold Hornsey and Frankie Baggs. 3-0 to Pools then, with Boyd, Williams and Porter getting on the scoresheet.