Denis B - goal

By Charlie Summerbell
September 30 2009

Hartlepool United’s B team earned a useful point in a second-half comeback as the team’s gradual improvement continued at Stockport. Two down at half-time, well-taken goals from Adam Boyd and Denis Behan levelled the match, and Chris Turner’s men might have sneaked a win with some good late pressure. But a point is a good return from a difficult game on a pitch which often causes problems because it is used by Sale Sharks rugby team, though Pools will be glad they went there now rather than in mid-winter when the 18-stone giants will really have taken their toll on the surface.
The first half display was a poor one as Nicholas Bignall and Michael Raynes headed goals to put County in what appeared to be a match-winning position.
But Pools found their real form after the break and were in total control up to the end. They had to wait until 15 minutes from the end for Behan’s goal to make it 2-2, but it had seemed virtually inevitable some a long time before he hit the target.
The goals mean both he and Boyd have scored three this season as Pools show that they can produce goals from all over the pitch. They just need the defenders to weigh in with one or two to become an all-round threat to opposition teams.
Turner told the Northern Echo: “We came back thanks to the quality of players we have at the club.
“That will always give us a chance of getting back into games. The strikers both scored, which is pleasing.”
Pools make their longest journey of the season for Saturday’s game at Exeter, where another draw would be very welcome, but on current form and with confidence building a win is not out of the question.
Turner has said that he plans to use his squad’s strength in depth for that match, and while we can probably expect the defence to remain unchanged with Sam Collins and Gary Liddle looking a great partnership, midfield and attack could see a number of changes.
There will be even more changes next Tuesday when Pools are at home to Mike Newell’s Grimsby in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy as more players are given a chance to stake a claim on a place.
Pools appear to have recovered from the wobbles of those early home defeats, now they need to push on from the good position they have earned themselves and see where it takes them.
Fingers crossed.