By Albatross
March 1 2003

I couldn't be at Feethams to see Pools collect a point from the last Feethams derby. Fortunately, my brother was, and a bit of arm-twisting brings this report.... cheers! The latest last ever Darlo Pools at Feethams ended in a two all draw this afternoon, a competitive derby game which was often spoilt by some very poor refereeing.

The first half was a disappointing one as far as Pools were concerned, we never really got our passing game going, often resorting to pumping long balls into the channels which the Darlo defence comfortably dealt with.

It was Darlo who had the first real chance of the match in the second minute when Mellanby ignored the appeals for offside after a ball through, but
fired across the goal with only Williams to beat.

In the 15th minute Boyd had a twenty five yard shot that fizzed wide of the right hand post, before Matt Clarke had the ball in the net for Darlo but the referee had already blown for a free kick after Williams was clattered into when claiming the ball.

Humphreys was looking the dangerman for Pools and he had a header in the 34th minute that he just glanced wide.

In the 36th minute Clarke won himself a free kick by blatently diving when having his back to goal and seemingly going nowhere. Valentine floated the ball in and CONLON powered a header past the hapless Williams.

Conlon was finally booked in injury time for persistant fouling, a tackle on Widdrington being the final straw for the referee. Barron and Mellanby were also both booked in the dying seconds after a scuffle in which Mellanby was
on top of Barron clenching his fist to Barrons face.

Pools came out in the second half a different side however, and it took them just two minutes to find the equaliser. A poor Liddle clearance span dangerously in the air in the six yard box, and Clarke blatantly pushed Williams when he was just about to jump for the header, the referee having no hesitation in awarding the penalty, and BOYD cooly stepped up and slid the ball home.

Then in the 52nd minute Pools took the lead. A pin point cross from the left by Tinkler saw DARRELL CLARKE head home in front of the travelling fans.

Three minutes later should have marked the end of the game as far as Pools were concerned, when Valentine recieved his second yellow card and headed off down the tunnel.

Mellanby went off in the 59th minute and was replaced by the scruff that is Richard Hodgson, and his first touch of the ball was to take the free kick that was given for a Westwood handball, although he appeared to be shoved by Conlon. Hodgson crossed the free kick in for LIDDLE to head low into the corner to make it two each.

Pools pressed for the winner but missed chances and ANOTHER great individual goalkeeping performance from Collett prevented us from bagging all three points.

A good move saw Westwood break clear down the right, but he looked up to find a lack of support in the box so he drove a low angled shot that skimmed just past the far post.

Pools were winning countless amounts of corners but just could not take full advantage of the pressure. In the 77th minute Henderson replaced Boyd to give Pools a bit more presence in attack.

In the 80th minute Collett pulled off a good save from a twenty yard drive from Tinkler, then following the corner Darrell Clarke really should have scored from fpur yards, but his lacklustre finish was well saved by Collett once again.

A late onslaught from Pools was not enough and it was clear the home side were happier with the points after surviving a twenty minute battering.

Overall a draw was disappointing when looking back about the amount of chances we created in the last twenty alone, although it has to be said that the referee did not help our cause with some crucial decisions going against us.

Darlo are not a pretty side, they seem to mainly look at the two big front men to put their weight around and cause problems. Conlon to be fair holds the ball up very well, but him and Mellanby are possibly the dirtiest strikeforce I have seen in a while, the way Mellanby was going for Barron
was shameful.

Ratings

Williams -6- Not a chance with the goals, had to put up with a big physical presence which unsettled him sometimes

Barron - 6 - Too many long balls into the channels for my liking, but improved in the second half, seeing plenty of the ball when Valentine was sent off

Lee - 7 - Dealt as well as he could with their forwards, actually getting the ball on the deck more now as well

Westwood -6- A few very shaky moments, but generally comfortable

Robinson -7-Supported Humphreys well in the second half, putting in some decent crosses

Humphreys-8- always caused problems, at the heart of most moves

Tinkler -7- Good cross for the second goal, always in the thick of it, went off injured in the final moments

Widdrington-8- Got stuck in, enjoyed the midfield battle and never gave away posession

Clarke-9- Man of the match, was always dangerous down the right, and his vision was superb

Williams -7- Worked hard for little reward and took a battering throughout

Boyd-7- Did some neat little interplays and his trickery often caused problems. A cool head for the penalty

(Henderson-6- worked hard when he came on)