Monky - opener

By Charlie Summerbell
November 20 2011

If Hartlepool United could go close to matching their away record at home, they would be well up with the League One leaders instead oif scrapping around in mid-table wondering why they go wrong so often at Victoria Park.

In their latest success on the road, Pools didn’t just win at Scunthorpe, they coasted home with the sort of performance that made them look a good side.

So why don’t they look a good side at the Vic?

If Mick Wadsworth could answer that question, he’d be a better manager than he is.

In fact, it’s not so much finding the answer that’s difficult , it’s getting the team to respond and pout things right.

After seeing his sided win 2-0 at Glandford Park – their first League win at Scunthorpe in 21 years – Wadsworth told the club website: “It’s a great victory because Scunthorpe are a better team than their position in the League shows.

“I thought our performance against anyone today would have been a good one.” Wadsworth had special praise for young keeper Andy Rafferty, making his debut for suspended Scott Flinders, and added: “I’m very pleased for him.

“It was a great team performance, everybody did a really important job today. We restricted them to very few chances, yet we could have gone in 3-0 at half-time.”

Andy Monkhouse gave Pools a first-half lead with a low shot, but better chances were wasted as Pools dominated and that meant they were never really comfortable until near the end when Antony Sweeney headed in an Evan Horwood cross.

So after losing their last five home games, Pools continue to impress on their travels, where they have lost just once this season.

A mystery Hercule Poirot would find difficult to solve.