Man of the Match

By Mill House
September 4 2013

Five goals against a league one side and a team notable for its cup successes is a good way to break the ice - but let's not get carried away.

Bradford City fielded the requisite six first teamers and in the second half their back four was the one which played well against Huddersfield the other week.

But on the night it was Pools who finally found a formula, and a confidence, which at last gave the fans something to cheer about. Make no mistake they could and should have won by a bigger margin with Monkhouse and James causing no end of problems for the Bantams.

We all know what the pair are capable of  - now they are likely to be given an extended run to see if they can do it every week.

City started the strongest and only Flinders kept them out. But once Pools broke away to score it was one way traffic. The goal came when Franks broke down the right and his far post cross found Compton who set up James to head home from close range.

Monkhouse almost scored with a header before James burst through and was only denied by a desperate challenge from Matt Taylor.

Doubless City got a half time rollicking but it did them no good when Monky sent Franks into space, and he picked up his second attempt which was duly despatched into the bottom corner.

Burgess added a third - heading home a fierce free kick from Compton and then James earned a penalty as he tormented the visiting defence - Compton slotting home against his old club.

Nialle Rodney - on for James -completed affairs just before the end with an excellent overhead kick which found the bottom corner.

Ok it is only the Johnstone Paint Trophy but those goals should kickstart our league season with Wycombe Wanderers at the Vic on Saturday. A Pools 1-0 win would do.

Pools: Flinders , Duckworth  Baldwin , Burgess , Austin , Franks , Walker  (Walton 70min), Dolan , Compton  (Poole 75min), James (Rodney 70min), Monkhouse . Subs (not used): Collins, Walton, Rafferty.

Bradford : Ripley , Darby , McArdle  (Connell 45min,), Taylor  Meredith  (McHugh 45min) Ravenhill , Doyle, Kennedy , De Vita , Thompson  (Reid 75min), Yeates . Subs (not used): Wells, McLaughlin.