Preview: Hartlepool United v Brentford, again!

By Albatross
February 22 2005

Looks Familiar? Hartlepool United and Brentford must be getting a little sick of the sight of each other, as they meet for the third time in 2005. This time though, league points are at stake; can Pools grab all three?

With the game looking highly likely to go ahead following another huge effort from award-winning groundsman Dave Brown and his team of staff and volunteers, Pools will be hoping to make their efforts worthwhile with another home victory. Our opponents though have already shown us that they will not be turning up just to make up the numbers.

It's quite strange to be havign to preview a game against a side that we've already played twice in recent weeks, so I won't go too much into the detail of their recent form - it's already there if you care to look (see the links below). It's enough to say that having beaten us in the Cup Replay 11 days ago, the Bees have continued their unbeaten run with a fantastic 2-2 draw from two goals behind at Southampton, earning a replay and potentially a money-spinning tie with Manchester United.

It's fair to say that there will be significantly fewer fans travelling to Victoria Park than made it to St. Marys. They sold out their entire allocation, and had many others in the home areas doing their best to keep a low profile - many were it seems thrown out by over-zealous stewards not so much for celebrating the Brentford goals as for failing to celebrate the Southampton goals enough! Pools meanwhile will be hoping that as far as the Bees players are concerned that tonight will be a bit like "after the Lord Mayor's show" for them. It's too much to hope that Martin Allen will have his mind on other things though - he's rapidly showing himself to be a name to keep an eye on for the future, and will no doubt be doing his best to get his side focussed on climbing back into the playoff places.

Pools though will have an eye on revenge. Our cup replay saw us lose narrowly despite having played the majority of the match with ten men - and the subsequent rescinding of Jack Ross's red card has had more than the odd fan pondering what might have been if the Ref had only shown yellow in the first place. We've bounced back to beat Port Vale since, but go into this game arguably weaker than eleven days ago with Westwood and Tinkler certain to miss out, Robertson still doubtful as he rests his injured foot, and one or two rumours that Joel Porter may also miss out. I don't expect changes from Saturday unless they are forced though.

Brentford don't have any new injury worries - the only question for Allen seems to be whether to stick with Stuart Nelson, or to recall the cup-tied Ademole Bankole.

This is a vital game for both sides, and given the recent history between the two sides it's a tough one to call. Both of us would like to have all three points; Brentford have proved they can beat us at the Vic, while Pools still remain one of the form sides in the division. I'll go for a draw, 1-1, with Sweeney grabbing the goal for Pools.