By Albatross
October 29 2002

It was another victory for Pools tonight, Bristol Rovers the latest victims. With other results going our way, the gap at the top is now five points - and there was a cameo for another of Pools' young prospects. Albatross reports thanks to the Pools World commentary. There were no surprises in the Pools lineup, with the only change being Arnison taking the place of the suspended Micky Barron. As announced earlier in the day, Stephen Istead was on the bench, which looked pretty attack minded: as well as the first year Scholar, forwards Easter and Boyd were joined by Widds and Provett.

Pools got off to a bright start, attacking down the left and almost winning a corner inside the first 30 seconds. Rovers soon showed that they weren't just there to make the numbers up though, with David Lee getting onto the end of a Carlisle cross; his shot went wide however, and Pools then attacked and Humphreys had a dip from 20 yards out that also went wide.

On 5 minutes, Rovers had another chance; Tait crossed to the on-loan Adrian Coote, who shot over the bar.

A couple of minutes later it was Pools turn to go close, and it was Marcus Richardson who headed a Clarke cross goalwards, only to find Howie in the Bristol goal.

Arnison seemed keen to take his chance and was combining well with Clarke on the right, and with Smith putting in some decent crosses from the other side as well Pools were definately looking the more threatening.

On 17 minutes Tinkler received the ball in the box and shot, but once again Howie was equal to the task; Pools quickly gained possession and Smith saw a long-range effort blocked; Clarke then had an effort go wide.

Coote then had a good chance to take the lead for Rovers, but he put his shot wide of the post when he really should have done better.

Both sides were getting chances, but the next good chance fell again to Richardson; a corner from Smith found it's way to him, but his shot was blocked on the line and cleared. Shortly after Clarke put the ball in the net, but the flag was already up for offside.

It was starting to look like only a matter of time before Pools scored, but when the goal did come it was from an unexpected source; on 40 minutes, Paul ARNISON hit a dipping volley from 25 yards that Howie could do nothing about to send Pools into the lead.

Half Time arrived without further incident, and further good news came from Torquay, who were two goals to the good against Bournemouth. Westwood had been very involved, Tinkler was looking to add to his goal tally, and with Richardson holding the ball up well it was looking good for Pools; the live league table saw the gap to the chasers rising to five points.

The second half kicked off with Pools looking to add to their lead in front of a somewhat disappointing crowd of just under 3900. Pools were dominating, with a series of crosses coming in from Arnison, Clarke and Smith, and several corners as well. Tinkler pulled a 25 yarder wide on 47 minutes, and Clarke sent a header just wide from an Arno cross shortly after.

Rovers were struggling against the relentless attacking from Pools, and it was Clarke who almost extended Pools lead on 58 minutes; a good shot from inside the area was deflected behind for another corner.

The Gas did show some signs of life on the hour mark, as a cross from Bryant and shot by Quinn provided their first attacking play of note; but it was Pools who went further ahead on 63 minutes. Spike got on the end of a cross and headed firmly at goal; Howie could only parry the ball and it fell to Eifion WILLIAMS, and the Welshman drilled it home from six yards to send Pools further ahead and notch his ninth goal of the season.

Rovers did try and come back into the game, but struggled to create clear chances, while Pools continued to go forward in search of the goal that owuld finish them off. A Carlisle Free Kick saw Rovers win a corner, but when Lee swung the ball across Westwood was on hand to clear any danger; the following corner saw Barrett booked for fouling Smith after Taff had punched the ball clear.

More good chances came for Pools as Humphreys saw a volleyed shot cleared by Barrett and Williams had a header saved by Howie. Rovers tried to change things by replacing Carlisle with Gall, and then Lee with leading scorer Grazioli; but it was a Pools substitute who was to come closest to another goal. Steven Istead came on for Clarke with five minutes to go, and with his first touches went round a Rovers defender before whipping in a cross that hit the post and bounced clear.

Istead tried to repeat the dose a couple of minutes later, and his pace was certainly giving the Rovers defence pause for thought; more pace was added as Easter came on for Williams and the game looked to have gone away from the Bristol club. They were trying to push forward, but once again it was Pools who went closest; the hard-working Richardson chased a throughball into the area, and shot at goal only to see Howie making the save.

The final whistle went to send Pools home happy once more, and this time further clear at the top. Torquay had continued their good work and Bournemouth were on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline. Kiddiminster had moved into second place with a 4-0 win at troubled Swansea, but are five points behind Pools with Rushden, Bournemouth and Torquay a further point back.

The big question for Friday is who will start at right back; with a stunning goal and good all-round performance Paul Arnison has staked his claim for the position, and Mickey Barron - co-commentating on Pools World - made a comment about maybe being on commentary duty again on Friday after a good all-round performance from Pools. Three league wins in a row, top of the table by five points, and a lot of competition for places: it's looking good for Pools!