By Eggy_Poolie
February 4 2007

Hartlepool recorded a vital win in the battle for promotion with a 1-0 win over Swindon Town at the County Ground. Andy Monkhouse getting the goal against his former employers

The only goal of the game came 4 minutes into the second half when Andy Monkhouse got on the end of a Ritchie Humphreys corner to give Pools the win over his former employers

 

Swindon at times showed why they started the season as promotion favourites and they were very good on the break. They had two chances to open the scoring but both Lee Peacock and Jack Smith missed the target with early chances.

 

Hartlepool were by no means happy to get anything less than 3 points and some strong attacking play by Monkhouse and E Williams almost opened the scoring. Williams got on the end of a Monkhouse cross but the keeper did well to save and then Brown dribbled down the right wing before curling a shot just wide of the goal.

 

Swindon then came the closest to scoring. Zaaboub had a shot bravely blocked by Nelson only for Jack Smith to fire the ball past Dimi and straight against the post.

Hartlepool came close to taking the lead before the break but chances from Brown, Bullock and Williams all failed to rattle the back of the Swindon net.

 

Half Time

Swindon 0-0 Hartlepool United

 

The second half couldn’t have started any better for Pools. Andy Monkhouse rose highest from a Richie Humphreys corner to head home. It was definitely a sickener for Swindon manager Paul Sturrock whose first act as Swindon manager was to ship Monkhouse on loan to us.

 

Dimi also showed why many clubs have been interested in him when he made a fantastic save at the feet of Christian Roberts. Swindon piled the pressure on Pools but the back four which is the best in the league on recent form.

 

In Swindon’s late efforts to get an equaliser Lee Peacock had a few chances go wide, Jutkiewicz blazed a shot over the bar and Blair Sturrock tried to repeat his team-mate by also smashing a shot over the bar.

Despite the Swindon pressure it was nearly Pools who scored. Tony Sweeney fed through James Brown but his shot across goal went wide of the mark

 

Full Time

Swindon 0-1 Hartlepool United

 

Probably the best victory of the season so far. Hartlepool face Walsall at home next week with the chance of going second in the league.