Not such an express as Orient leave it late

Match report: Orient V Pools

Hartlepool had a chance to record a 4th straight win, that could have pushed them up into mid-table and dispelled the early season gloom. However, despite looking marginally stronger than strugglers Orient, Hartlepool lost out to a late goal in a fairly dull encounter.
 
A fit-again Anthony Sweeney was on the bench and Manchester City Youngster James Poole joined him there after the new loan signing proved his fitness in a mid-week reserve game. Adam Boyd was the noticeable absentee, after an injury problem prevented him travelling.
 
Hartlepool looked the most comfortable during a tight and uneventful first half. With few chances created and the majority of the game played in the centre of the park. Gary Liddle produced the only real effort of the opening period when he connected with a great ball from Leon McSweeney only to fail to get the effort on target.

Collins and Hartley looked in control at the back of a solid defensive unit and once again it looked as though they would not be breached. It’s clear that they have developed a good understanding as a group and also with goalkeeper Jake Kean, which has been the foundation of a run that had until now produced 3 consecutive clean sheets.

There was a scare for Hartlepool when Jake Kean went down from a challenge by team-mate Peter Hartley, who was clearing a shot that Kean had failed to keep hold of. There was a prolonged period of treatment for Kean, but thankfully he was able to continue, albeit with a fresh shirt and some serious bandaging around his head.

Collins and Larkin, both came close to giving the visitors the lead. However the best chance went to Leon McSweeney, who had an effort superbly saved from a confident Lee Butcher in goal for Orient.

Both teams will have went into the break thinking that one goal would be all that was needed in the second half in order to win this cagey affair, with little moments of quality to talk about.

Half Time- Orient 0-0 Pools

Hartlepool started the second half in a lively mood and should have made 20 minutes of pressure count with a goal. This is perhaps when we should be looking to switch formation to 4-4-2, when a team is there to be beaten and we are starting to get the upper-hand. Despite the large amount of pressure, Hartlepool had no real chances of note in a dominating spell. Yantorno replaced Larkin as the lone striker in a continuation of the 4-5-1 formation that although often effective, is not always the answer to playing out a draw.

Jonathan Tehoue connected with a late corner to put the hosts ahead at a stage when a comeback would prove very difficult. Mick Wadsworth responded by throwing on Sweeney and Bjornsson in place Murray and Gamble, but this was too late for them to make any difference. The whistle went shortly after ensuring that Hartlepool sent a vocal 201 supporters home disappointed that they would not be able to see their team make a rare venture into the top-half of the table.

Full Time- Orient 1-0 Pools

Comment
The 4-5-1 formation is very effective, but should not be used so rigidly, especially when we start to dominate in the 2nd half against a team that shows no real quality. Defensively we looked solid, confident and organised and it is clear they work well with Kean in goal. The game, although dull, was a real chance for us to build up points that may prove vital in May.

Man of the Match
Sam Collins played well and organised the defence superbly. He is starting to show his ability and experience, especially with a more settled defence.
 

Report by : Homer