By Albatross
April 26 2003

Hartlepool United 3 Shrewsbury Town 0 and Leyton Orient 0 Rushden & Diamonds 0. Those two results mean it's all to play for again, and the promotion party is finally in full swing. Here's the report from an excitable Victoria Park this afternoon. There were a couple of changes from the team that drew with Rochdale: Tommy Widdrington didn't recover from injury and was replaced by Paul Smith, while Gordon Watson started up front with Eifion Williams. Hendo was on hte bench, along with Boyd and Easter - no shortage of attacking options then! The atmosphere that had been building inside the Vic was great, with hundreds of balloons, flags, and John Orley doing his best to whip up our enthusiasm by playing Two Little Boys and Tom Hark before the team ran out to the reception that a promotion-winning side should get - and another rendition of Tom Hark did no harm at all!

Pools started off brightly, with some good work from Tinkler and Watson allowing Tinks to go for goal - his shot though was blocked before getting near the goal. It soon became obvious that contrary to what we may have expected, Humphreys was not playing in the middle: instead he was out on the right, with Darrell Clarke playing in central midfield.

It seemed to be working though, as Pools looked much the better side going forward. A corner on four minutes lead to a blocked cross from Watson - but Smith failed to lift the ball into the middle with the rebound.

Luke Rodgers was always going to get some stick - and he didn't help his cause on 6 minutes when he dived blatantly to try and win a free kick. The Ref was't fooled though, and gave nothing. A minute later, and Gordon Watson almost scored: Tinkler won a free kick in a dangerous area, Smith crossed the ball in, and it found its was to Flash, who hit the bar from about 10 yards out. The ball was scrambled away for a corner, but Eifion Williams was injured in the process and needed a couple of minutes treatment before resuming. When the flag kick was finally taken, it for one on the other side that Flash headed wide at the near post.

Shrewsbury's first real chance came on 10 minutes, when Rodgers saw his shot blocked by Robinson: from the corner, Taff took well and got the ball out to the right, where some good work from Humphreys and Watson allowed Watson to put in a deep cross that a Shrewsbury player almost put into his own net.

A couple of minutes later Pools won a free kick on the right after Watson was fouled: from 30 yards, smith decided to have a go at goal, only to see his effort go narrowly wide.

There was no doubt who the better side was: Pools were looking menacing going forwards, while Shrewsbury were creating very little in the way of chances. Already, it was starting to look more a case of when rather than if Pools got the goal.

Mickey Barron was getting down the wing well to support Ritchie, and on the half hour it was that combination that almost carved out a goal: some good play down the right saw Humphreys play the ball into the box for Barron, but his cross from the by-line was blocked for a corner. The ball was cleared from that for a throw on the other side, and then Smith played the ball in for Watson to flick into the path of Humphreys, who tried an ambitious volley that went well over the bar.

Five minutes later Pools did go in front though. Clarke crossed from the right, Watson flicked on at the near post, and EIFION WILLIAMS was able to put the ball into the net. A richly deserved goal for Pools.

Almost immediately Pools almost got caught out though: Aiston was allowed to collect the ball in the area, and his cross was headed against the outside of the far post. Pools cleared quickly, and Eifion was looking to get through again when he was fouled 20 yards out by Matt Redmile. Redmile was shown the yellow card, and Smith put this one just over the bar as Pools looked to extend their lead.

Tinkler was booked for dissent, and from the free kick he'd complained about Lee was then caught napping as Aiston again got the ball in the area: his low cross in front of goal was well cleared by Robinson.

With the half almost over, Pools did what they had threatened to and extended their lead. Humphreys was taking a corner on the right, and a quick fake from Watson as he ran for the short corner confused the Shrews defence: Humphreys instead curled the corner right onto the head of the unmarker TINKLER who headed home with ease.

There was still time for Luke Rodgers to get booked though: he went in late on Humphreys, and was promptly booed whenever he touched the ball after that. Pools then had another good attacking move, as Smith played a crossfield ball to Watson, who curled the ball into the box for Clarke to run onto: and Dunbavin had to make a great save to deny Trigger. Robinson picked up a booking on the stroke of half time, but it was Pools looking good. Even better, the news came through that Orient were still holding Rushden at 0-0.

Shrewsbury looked to change things around at the break, with Ian Woan coming on for Jagielka - a move that Ratcliffe was to regret. Pools started the half looking like they knew victory was already secure, and Shrewsbury were struggling to provide anything to prove any different. A Free Kick on 51 minutes after Robinson had fouled Aiston provided them with a chance, but the ball was easily cleared and Tolley's follow-up shot was well wide.

Pools were looking to dictate the play, almost operating at walking pace at times, and a measured - almost lay - buildup saw Watson eventually shoot over from a very difficult angle.

The hour mark saw a booking for Nigel Jemson, who was then immediately withdrawn to make way for Steve Watts - who also took over the captain's armband. Shrewsbury were still offering very little up front though.

Hendo came on for Eifion on 65 minutes, but this time there was no booing: the Welshman got a tremendous reception for his all-action performance, but he looked to be hobbling slightly as he came off the pitch. Hendo then with almost his first touch came close to setting Watson away: but the Pools frontman was given offside. This was only one of a number of dodgy or close-looking offside decisions by the officials, and Joe Allon commented after the game thet they'd had a mare - and I'm not going to argue with that!

Flash looked desperate for a goal, even if it meant playing his way past the whole Shrewsbury side; some neat footwork and good strength on the edge of the box saw him test Dunbavin again, who proved equal to the task.

Graeme Lee was next to go in the book after fouling Watts; and the Ref himself almost made an assist for Shrewsbury as Rodgers - along with Aiston, the only players to give Pools any serious concerns - saw his blocked shot hit the official and rebound back to him; however Taff did well to keep the score 2-0. At the other end, Hendo was shown a yellow card after jumping into the keeper.

Shrewsbury though seemed keen to press the self-destruct button, and on 73 minutes that's exactly what they did. Ian Woan seemed to aim a kick at Humphreys, and the Ref had no hesitation in pulling out hte red card to reduce the bottom side to 10 men.

Shortly after, Humphreys decided to go for some individual glory; picking up the ball in midfield, he tried a superb shot from 30 yards that Dunbavin could only parry. The third goal was not long in coming though: Watson was again involved as flicked the ball to the left of the area where HENDERSON was on hand to hammer home.

With that it was pretty much all over as a contest. With five minutes to go, Arnison and Boyd replaced Tinkler and Watson - who was shortly after adjudged man of the match by the sponsors. Certainly he'd had a good game, some of his cross-field balls were a delight, and his intelligent running and awareness had played a part in a good Pools performance.

With very little time left, there was an outbreak of cheering from the Town End that swiftly spread around the ground: Rushden had failed to break the deadlock at Brisbane Road, and so the victory that we had witnessed means that there is a chance of the title after all!

There was a small pitch invasion - mostly kids, but a fair few old enough to know better - and a quick word for John Orley on the PA, whose comments were appreciated by the vast majority who stayed where they should. After the pitch was cleared, the players came out to complete a well-deserved lap of honour: and against all odds, we go to Nene Park next week with everything still to play for.