James B - winner

By Charlie Summerbell
November 17 2010

There was a time when James Brown was being touted as Hartlepool United's next big earner, with a string of big clubs said to be watching him. But while a series of injuries have put paid to that speculation, the talented striker has still given the club the chance to hit the jackpot in the FA Cup.

His well-placed header was the only goal as Pools used their second attempt to avoid the banana skin offered by Vauxhall Motors in the first round of the FA Cup, and now they are 90 minutes of a winnable second round match away from a possible big game.
It’s the sort of situation that has club chairmen rubbing their hands in anticipation, as Pools prepare for a Victoria Ground game against a Yeovil side they have already beaten away from home this season.
There were plenty of other chances in a typical non-League v League replay, but it was Brown who provided the coolness needed to finish off the home team, heading in Evan Horwood’s cross on 70 minutes, soon after going on for James Poole, who had scored the third in Saturday’s win over Brighton.
On Brown, Mick Wadsworth told the Northern Echo: "He gave us something up front and some composure and calmness. It was a lovely controlled header - he knew where the goal was.
“It was a battle at times, we started well, they came back into it and credit for them.
“Second-half we looked the likelier to win, hoping the goal would come and we had scrapes. Brown got us a good goal then we were comfortable. Coming to a non league club isn’t about beautiful football, it’s about blocking, tackling, heading.
“They have pressed us over two games, but I feel we were better in both games. You can get caught with your pants down in these games, but we came through it.’’
The replay win coming on the back of the victory over Brighton makes Pools’ season look a lot brighter, but before that Yeovil game they face two difficult tests of their impressive away form – at Colchester on Saturday and at Tranmere, just down the road from Vauxhall Motors, the following Tuesday night.
Things might be looking up, but they don’t get any easier.