Preview: Boston United v Hartlepool United, Take 2

By Albatross
January 19 2005

The forgotten game? Radio 5 Live completely failed to mention the replay between Pools and Boston this morning, but for Poolies and Pilgrims only one game matters tonight - and it isn't at St James' Park Exeter. Can Pools make it through at the second attempt?

Since drawing at the Vic, Boston have played twice - beating Southend 2-0 at York Street, and drawing 0-0 with Shrewsbury at the weekend. There's little doubt that Pools will face a potentially much harder game this time round. Like Pools, Boston are yet to be defeated on their own turf in the league although their record is not quite as impressive as ours - five draws, and also defeats in the Carling Cup (admittedly to Premiership Fulham) and LDV (less impressively to Cambridge). Pilgrims fans will unsurprisingly be fancying their chances, and the home side are certain to be more adventurous than they were at the Vic.

One thing that is a big boost to them is that the prolific Andy Kirk is still at the club, in spite it seems of the best efforts of boss Steve Evans to talk up the chances of a move to a bigger club for his start striker. He scored both goals against Southend to take his total for the season to 16, and remains the main threat to Pools chances of progressing. More good news is that Evans has a squad that is very close to full strength - the only doubt is former Hull defender Mark Greaves, who will face a late fitness test. Definately missing though will be Daryl Clare, who is Cup-Tied.

Pools meanwhile are waiting to see if Hugh Robertson will recover from the soreness in his foot that kept him out of the Torquay game, and either way Cooper faces something of a conundrum. If Shuggy isn't fit, does he start with 3-5-2 again, or go for 4-4-2 meaning that Ben Clark has to play at Left Back, or alternatively (and possibly harshly) drop Clark to the bench in favour of Robson or Brackstone? If Robertson is available, who makes way for him? At least it's the right sort of headache for Coops though, as opposed to earlier in the season when the decision was which youngster to throw in next due to injury problems. Darrell Clarke will of course miss out, and it is probably too soon for Mickey Barron to make a comeback - though if the speculation that Ross will soon be on his way to Falkirk is true he may be back sooner rather than later.

Given that the home side should look to attack more, Pools may actually find it easier to pierce the Boston defence - and we have the boost of being unbeaten in four away games in a row, and of our last eight games in all competitions giving us a record of W5 D3 F17 A4. Yes, we've made things harder by not taking our chances in the first game - but it's certainly not beyond Pools to win the replay if we play as we know we can. I'll go for a narrow 2-1 win, Boyd and Porter getting the goals.