Gary L - X-ray

By Charlie Summerbell
August 14 2011

Things rarely work out as they are supposed to for Hartlepool United. Their first home League One game of the season was expected to be a bit of a celebration after the phenomenal success of the £100 season ticket scheme - but it turned out to be a bit of a flop for all concerned.

They only managed a point against a Walsall team desperate for a lift after their own disappointing start to the season, and as usual there was a touch of controversy over a double sending-off and the added complication of early-season injuries to key players.

Nobby Solano went off early, while skipper Sam Collins, Gary Liddle, Neil Austin and Evan Horwood also picked up knocks.

But none of the knocks was as difficult to take as the setback suffered by Slano’s replacement Nathan Luscombe, sent off with Walsall skipper Andy Butler just before half-time when they went for a 50-50 ball.

Jon Macken’s penalty gave Walsall an early lead after Paul Murray was alleged to have gone in high on Will Grigg, but Pools were quickly level when Colin Nish tapped in after Scott Flinders’s huge clearance caught out Walsall keeper Jimmy Walker.

Solano is doubtful for Tuesday night’s home gamer with Huddersfield with a hamstring strain, while Liddle played through the game after taking a blow to his eye early on and went for an X-ray after the game.

Mick Wadsworth praised his courage for playing on and told the club website: “He got a real bash on the eye socket and he did great to get through the game.”

Wadsworth felt the penalty decision was a harsh one and on the double red card he said: “I’ve seen it again and I don’t even think it was a yellow for either player.

“I thought it was a poor decision and one that affected the game dramatically.

“The second half was cat and mouse … we had some great chances that we maybe could have done better with. But we kept going and pushed on for the win, so I’m really proud of the players.”

With Antony Sweeney already out, the potential loss of Solano and Liddle and worries over other players are hardly making the start of the season an easy time for Pools.