Two games in and it's six points from six for Pools


AT Chesterfield in their new, yellow away kit for their opening away game of the season,  Hartlepool United returned home with victory.

Cyril Knowles, Brian Honour, Paul Dalton and Co engineered the win to set them on their way to a memorable season.

That was 1990. Forward 30 years.

Pools went at Chesterfield in their new, yellow away kit for the opening away game of the season and headed back up the M1 with a victory.

It’s two wins from two for Pools at the start of the National League season. There’s a bit of optimism around what Dave Challinor is moulding.

After three stale and unmemorable seasons outside the Football League, could Pools this time around sustain a bash at promotion?

In the opening two games, the signs have been positive. Pools have carried on in the manner and style they were in when last season was curtailed.


There’s a style of play under Challinor and the players have bought into it.

The 4-3-3 set-up is set, Nicky Featherstone dictating the tempo from in front of the back four, two midfield runners breaking to support the attacks. 

Gavan Holohan earned a penalty and scored in the win over Aldershot, while Mark Shelton has yet to hit his straps in two games. 

Up front it’s been different personnel, but, quite tellingly, the style and system hasn’t altered.

David Parkhouse held the ball up well last weekend in the opening half, but was absent on Tuesday on Northern Ireland U-21 duty – Gordon Simms and Liam Donnelly have both worn the green shirts while with Pools.

He was replaced last night by Mason Bloomfield, an imposing figure in the No9 shirt. He looks like the sort of targetman most teams in this division have as part of their armoury.

The ball didn’t stick in the opening half last night – in mitigation it was a poor first 45 minutes all round – and his game was curtailed after he was wiped out in the latter stages of the first-half, clearly stiffening up at the break and was unable to continue.


After three stale and largely unmemorable seasons outside the Football League, could Pools this time around sustain a bash at promotion?
In the opening two games, the signs have been positive. 


On came Rhys Oates, a very different type of player, but Pools remained patient. Holohan came into the game more, while Claudio Ofosu showed his potential.

He is strong and quick and when he got the chance to run into space, there was no catching him. The potential is there to impress and become a Victoria Park favourite… as and when the crowd is allowed back in.

At the back, David Ferguson claimed assists for both goals. His delivery into the area is first-rate, balls are willing and wanting to be attacked.

Maybe there was a bit of fortune on Tuesday, but the former Darlington man will rack up assists aplenty this season.

It remains to be seen how long Gary Liddle is out for; his 301st Pools game curtailed by a thigh strain. Challinor said he felt it after the first game and the fears as he hobbled of last night were that he could be missing for a couple of weeks. He had a tight groin in the warm up and Challinor said it 'wasn't massively serious' when speaking to BBC Tees. 

In his place came Ryan Johnson, who tackled, headed and cleared when he had to. Was he at fault for the penalty award? Perhaps he could be have been tighter to big striker Tom Denton – who possess the mobility and finesse of a giraffe on stilts – but it was the sort of call, as Challinor pointed out, that was given in the Premier League two weeks ago but not last weekend after reviewing the interpretation of handball.

It was pleasing that after taking the lead, Pools were in very little danger and saw the game off with some ease. 


There’s promise and potential within the squad and, on the pitch, things are positive. Now, if only the Poolies were able to see it first hand….





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