James Brown - goal

By Clarence Rode
August 3 2008

Hartlepool United's players are match fit in readiness for the new season - now they have a week to iron out their tactics before the opening game against Colchester. That's the message from manager danny Wilson after his team ended their pre-season friendly games with a 3-2 victory over Rotherham at the Don Valley Stadium.

Pools looked a class apart for most oif the game and goals from Joel Porter (pen), Ben Clark (right) and James Brown earned the win.
They had enough chances to approach double figures, but missed out in front of goal.
Manager Danny Wilson said he felt the performance was somewhere near the one he is hoping for againt Colchester on Day 1, though Pools did mkiss chances and let in a couple of sloppy goals.
But it was a lot better than at York in midweek, and Wilson says the hard work done by his players in pre-season is now complete.
He told the club website: "Now we'll kick on through the week and work on more technical and tactical areas in training ahead of the Colchester game."
So it looks as if there will be no more new signings and Pools will have to start the season with what they've got it.
If they play as well as they did at Rothetham, that should by OK. If they play like they did at York, we're doomed.
Pools: Lee-Barrett, Liddle (sub 65 Sweeney), Ndelson, Clark (sub 65 Collins), Humphreys, Foley, Boland, Jones (sub 64 Power), Monkhouse (sub 82 Robson), Porter (sub 55 Barker), Brown (sub 71 McCunnie). Sub not used: Budtz.