Ben Clark - goal

By Clarence Rode
January 13 2008

Earning a draw at Northampton is not exactly cause for arranging a parade in an open-top bus, and there will be no fly-past from the Red Arrows either. But for Hartlepool United, anything is better than losing after six consecutive League One away defeats, and manager Danny Wilson is hoping the result will prove to be a turning point.

But they still have the matter of their home form to sort out, because while defeats have plagued them on their travels lately, they’ve not exactly been earning rave reviews at the Vic either.

And now they have to put that right when they taken on Cheltenham at home on Friday night.
Ben Clark celebrated his return after a ten-game absence through injury by scoring the goal at Northampton, and helping to make the defence look a bit more solid than it has been lately. They were also helped by some poor finishing by the home team.

Arran Lee-Barrett (right) was given a chance in goal in place of Jan Budtz, who dropped down to the bench. Danny said that his confidence has been suffering lately.

But the manager didn’t mention that the big keeper’s kicking has been bl**dy awful and he has also looked shaky on crosses at times.

At Northampton Pools might not have been brilliant, but they were at least competent, and that makes a change.
But Wilson could perhaps do with brining James Brown back in place of David Foley wide on the right – Foley’s pace and enthusiasm doesn’t cause as much bother to opposing defences as Brown’s skills, and he’s surely had enough of a rest by now.

Whether there will be any new faces in the squad by the time the Cheltenham game comes round remains to be seen.

Cross everything.