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WINTER'S WORLD MATCHDAY 8: HARTLEPOOL UNITED v WIGAN ATHLETIC, CARLING CUP
25th August 2010
A new feature for this season, where I give my views on games I attend. Comments welcomed.
After Sedgefield races and a few winners I decided to invest some of my profit on the Pools game with 11/4 for a home victory and an attractive 12/1 for Sam Collins to score during the game. Own goals do not count!
I had been asked by Mark Simpson to co-commentate for Pools player so I got to the ground early and had to as usual walk through the rink end to get to the press box. I was well aware that Wigan is a Rugby League town and their passion for football is luke warm at the best of times.
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The thousands of empty seats for their televised game against Champions Chelsea suggested that the likelihood of them filling the away end was unlikely. Indeed in the past they have managed to send only 300 or so to Premier League grounds in the north-east.
Even knowing that and taking into account the team's abysmal start to the season 142 away supporters is pretty pathetic, indeed Division One clubs from the south have sent more fans for a midweek game at Victoria Park. Less travelling supporters means less revenue for Pools and also does not help create a good atmosphere.
'Kes' has departed from Asda but Pools are still raring to go to face Premier League Wigan Athletic at Victoria Park.
Tonight though, locals along with a greater press presence were expectant of a possible upset. The chances of that took a mighty blow in the first few minutes with an unfortunate Sam Collins deflected own goal. Shit - OWN GOALS DO NOT COUNT.
Mind you, after the game BBC Tees were still crediting the goal to Steven Caldwell! Before the goal we had seen the most bizarre kick off I have ever witnessed. Boselli did not see Scott Flinders off his line and have a punt at goal; he merely lofted the ball up the field and it trickled out for a goal kick. It must be a Rugby League thing, fifth tackle and all that and gaining ground!
Equally strange was the wasted free kick that ended up in Hart Village from Evan Horwood that should have ended up on Sam's head and in the back of the Wigan net. A couple of minutes later and an excellently executed Gomez free kick was in the net and off Sam's napper too!
Let's be honest, Wigan have been very poor to put it mildly with a defence resembling a sieve but they are capable on their day and victories last season against Liverpool and Chelsea prove they can do it when in the mood. Away from home though they are vulnerable.
The only problem was that for the first twenty minutes they passed Pools to death. It was energy sapping chasing shadows and only an excellent save from Scott Flinders prevented Rodallega from doubling their advantage. Then Pools got going, inspired by the excellent and tireless Paul Murray who was instrumental in everything good that Pools did.
Only a great one handed save from the time wasting Latics keeper Ali Al Habsi (who?) prevented Joe Gamble from getting a spectacular equaliser as half time approached. Excellent crosses into their area had them papping their pants and Andy Monkhouse should have done much better when with more time than he imagined hooked wide of goal.
The Rink end is packed to the rafters with the massive Premiership travelling away support of 142 Wigan fans!
The half time stats told a tale. Wigan two attempts, both on target, one of those from Collins. Pools seven attempts, three on target and Pools won the corner count 7-0. Wigan had enjoyed 61% of the possession. Statto is alive and well in the press box. Actually I was sneaking a view of one of their media men's computers.
All set for a second half onslaught but unfortunately it never materialised with Wigan showing their class and enjoying even more possession. No shots, no corners but plenty of honest endeavour. Surprisingly neither Adam Boyd nor James Brown really got into the game and it was inevitable that they would be replaced.
Behan
though did make his presence felt with a late shoulder barge on Gomez, which must have upset him because he took it out on Pools with a quality free kick, the award of which may have been debatable. One of those six of one and half a dozen of the other 9/5 challenges.
Still it needed scoring and it was. No keeper in the world would have stopped that one. We had the bizarre substitution of James McCarthy replacing James McArthur but it was another sub Victor Moses who gave the final score line a very undeserving 3-0 margin.
The ref Mr Gibbs had enjoyed a very easy game with even Poolies not getting many opportunities to vent their usual bile at the superb match officials that visit the Vic!! Even the most avid Millhouse mouth could not have complained had the ref carded Gary Liddle who inexplicably, with the game over and done with, blatantly and cynically halted the progress of a Wigan forward.
The ref, taking pity, merely had a word. To show his appreciation Lidds then went through the back of an opponent and even Mr Gibbs had to produce a yellow. Now are you listening Pools administrators. GARY LIDDLE GOT BOOKED!!
Full time and generous appreciation from the fans to the players, well deserved, well beaten against a side that proved the gulf in class between even a poor Prem side and a First division outfit. All you can ask for is 100% commitment and the lads gave that.
Now for the enigma that is Hartlepool. Having played so well against higher opposition will they fall below par against a side from their own level?
At least Wednesday will fill the Rink End. There will be a cracking atmosphere and maybe the league will be mischievous and appoint Crossley as ref! Interestingly last weekend he failed to send off the Norwich keeper when he brought down a goalbound forward. He then saved the resultant penalty. Ah, let's hear it for the ref.
By the way - Paul Ince for Pools. I love rumours me!!!
Match day 9 is scheduled to be the Championship game between Barnsley and Middlesbrough and 10 the JPT tie between Hartlepool and Northampton Town.
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