Monky - top scorer

By Charlie Summerbell
April 6 2010

They say that Easter, so close to the end of the season, is an even more important time than Christmas in football – and that was certainly the case for Hartlepool United as their two games in two days turned what was getting close to a potential disaster into a situation in which they at least now have their fate in their own hands.

Two wins and six points have taken them from the bottom for to just below mid-table, but the gap below is still a small one and there is some way to go before they can truly relax.
Saturday’s great win at Leyton orient was followed by just as important victory over Brighton at the Vic, Roy O’Donovan and Andy Monkhouse scoring the goals that gave Pools, and boss Chris Turner, some breathing space.

They are now four points ahead of the bottom four and their next two games are against League One’s two bottom clubs – Wycombe away next weekend and Stockport at home the following Tuesday.

Their Easter wins have put them in a position to save themselves from the drop that threatened before the holiday weekend, and they could even be safe after these next two games.
They reckon 50 points is a good safety target, and Pools are five short of that – not an impossible task, even for a team that blows hot and cold as much as they do.

Turner was delighted with the Brighton win and he told the Northern Echo: “I’m delighted, six points from six. This was a much better win than Saturday – Brighton are the best team to come here this season.
“They play a good brand of football, a continental system and have a lot of pace. They caused us problems and we adjusted to combat their quality.
“My boys were tremendous in adapting, working hard and making sure they closed them down. The first goal for us was vital in a tight game. We matched their system in winning second balls and tackling back.