Featherstone - unlucky

By Mill House
September 28 2016

Nicky Featherstone's sending off was a cruel blow to a Pools side which was matching a classy Luton Town side and looking like getting that much needed home win...

Until that incident in the 55th minute the Ref had hardly been bothered, and we had not had a trainer on the pitch.

It was  fast and skillful game played in the right spirit. The video shows Feathersone's leg a little high and catching a player who he could scarcely have known  would have turned into him. Intentional - no. Verdict - yellow at worst.

Pools had gone ahead in the first half when Thomas was very quick to react when the Luton goalie parried a volley from the excellent Lewis Hawkins.

The sending off changed the game dramatically with Pools defending brilliantly at times - Toto Nsiala  having his best game and stand in partner Donnelly grew as the game went on.

Pools should have gone further ahead when Amond made a rare contribution with a shot whcih hit the inside of the far post but failed to go in.

And so the sucker punch. Pools were attacking at one end when there was blatant shove in the back of a Pools attacker on the edge of the box. Play was waved on and a frustrated Laurent tripped Gilliead just outisde the Pools box. Sheehan's free kick was straight into the top corner.

A draw was a fair result on the night. Pools might well have won if Featherstone had not been rashly sent off. The real bonus for Pools fans was the football played by their team and the superb spirit - something which was sadly missing last season.