Hornets sting plucky Pools

Match report: Watford V Pools

Well for once Mr Wadsworth I have to say you are completely wrong. For the first time I cannot agree with you. The team did not let the fans down on Saturday they were simply beaten by a very good Watford team. Watford are the Championships equivalent of Hartlepool this season. They are a hard-working, solid group of players who are proving every one wrong to be placed far higher than their budget would suggest. I watched them tear Pompy to pieces last week and feared the worst for our game.

My worries looked to be confirmed when an early attack resulted in Martin Taylor having a header go just over and onto the roof of the net. This was followed by a Matt Whichelow shot that went just wide of the post.

Anyway despite my fears, Hartlepool started to look the stronger team and gave a younger than normal Hornets some worries. Richie Humphreys had a lobbed shot fail to hit the target after a mix up in the Watford defence. McSweeney had an effort ruled out for offside, but there was a feeling that a goal was on the way.

Andy Monkhouse was to come close again for Pools, before Anthony Sweeney gave the visitors a surprise, but deserved lead just before the half-time whistle. Sweeney is having an excellent season, with 10 goals now scored from midfield. He is now showing us the potential that was there in his early years. It’s fair to say that if his form continues he will start to attract the attention of a higher placed club, perhaps even a team of Watford’s position. It is just a good job that the concourse didn’t sell alcohol as about 70% of us Poolies would have missed the goal, whilst queuing for refreshments.

Half Time- Watford 0-1 Pools

With increased optimism from the team and their boisterous support, Hartlepool took the field for the second half with hopes of a shock win. Both teams had a few chances including Marvin Sordell for the host’s, then McSweeney and Gamble for the visitors. The latter of these was well saved by Gilmartin in the Watford goal, who until now had often been caught motionless as shots went past him.

The Hornets were to prove their class from now on with 4 goals, 3 of which were of great quality. Piero Mingola got the 1st with a 18 yard cracker, followed by a powerful shot by Marvin Sordell from similar distance. Liddle and Kean then got caught in a muddle, allowing Sordell to give the home team a 2 goal cushion, before the talented Danny Graham once again proved his worth with a great run the left the defence standing as he made it 4-1.

The score-line may have looked like a thrashing the performance was far from that. They took the game to Watford and really had a go at them. This was against very organised and talented team, which will give us encouragement for the coming months.
The support was exceptional, never stopping for breath between songs and making a huge racket all afternoon. Even when we were 4-1 down, the noise was deafening and the applause at the end gave the players the approval needed from their own ‘Barmy Army’.

Full Time- Watford 4-1 Pools

Man of the Match
There was some good performances including Murray and Humphreys. Despite this Sweeney must take his deserved rewards for a season of hard-work and impressive performances. He is proving to be a diamond in the midfield.
 

Report by : Homer