Hartlepool v Sutton - match thread

[paz]

Classy club and fans. Club bar was friendly and advised a local brew there which was lovley. Good luck to them rest of season (providing they dont manage to chase the play offs if we do) 😁

[amberchoc]

According to the websites I’ve looked at, there were no bookings on either side. Is that right? If so, that’s rather rare (especially with Easty on the pitch!).

[timall]

Feb 20, 2022 13:40:58 GMT amberchoc said:

According to the websites I’ve looked at, there were no bookings on either side. Is that right? If so, that’s rather rare (especially with Easty on the pitch!).

Yes it's rare. But it has also happened previously this season.

[markf]

Considering their recent form and their home form in general, a point at Hartlepool would have been gleefully grabbed before kick off but I can't shake of the feeling ot could have been all three after a decent first half performance. The early goal put U's on the front foot and while 'Pool did hit the foot of the post that, like most of their first half efforts was from a shot from distance.

U's delayed too many times with their shooting opportunities and as a result were closed out by the home defence that at times in the first period looked very open. Second half, they started well and got the early equaliser and for a time with the crowd loudly behind them (the one time they weren't moaning) looked to take the game awsy from U's. Once again the Sutton defence withstood the test though and the threat fizzled out allowing Sutton more forard play without really threatening later in the half.

So, a point from another draw but having travelled to Bristol and then what must have been an uncomfortable and long coach journey during Eunice, a very good one. As I say, a good performance but I thought 'Pool were there for the taking in that first half and a second goal may well have been enough. A few more minutes for Harry B which is obviously good.

Ref had a decent game and was consistent both with decisions and cards (none shown).

I thought their pitch was the worst condition we have seen it in, especially the flank in front of the main stand.

Whilst, I can't comment on the home fans away from the pitch surrounds as I don't tend to interact with them at any venue, it was good to note that during the match they haven't changed, there was just more of them. I found it hilarious in the second half as they gave the lino to our left plenty of stick. Out of their seats as he had the audacity to give a couple of offsides against their heroes and plenty of stick to any Sutton player who went down injured. Their players, of course, fragile as they must be, were lauded whenever they rose from injury themselves.

Easty in particular took some stick (on their forum too) but then he got kicked more than most and as he was returning from injury I don't blame him for staying down to make sure he was ok. And that wound up the locals into a frenzy at times, which was most entertaining.

Our support may be as described by the home fans at one point but that's U's unbeaten at Hartlepool when there have been fans allowed in and like a number of us, I have seen them all.

A week off to access the squad situation before the bottom club arrive at GGL and they will be dangerous because of their situation.

[is4]

Another good write up from markf.
I have to agree with his comment about us taking to long at shooting for goal and their defence shutting us down.
This maybe one of the reasons why we are not scoring more goals at present.

[Andy K]

Although Hartlepool is never an easy place to get a point, we managed it. I think the disappointment for me is not getting all 3. Aside from not taking our chances up from (which I'll mention in a bit) when their goal went in I noticed the majority of our players protesting for an infringement rather than defending which gave them enough space to equalise. I though the same thing happened on Tuesday when Rovers broke for their 2nd. Whilst I know its a natural reaction, I just think we need to sharpen that up a little.

As for up front, I'm a little concerned about Donnys confidence. He had at least 2 chanced where this time last season he would have put them away but he seems hesitant. There's certainly no issue with his ability, but I'm sure he'd be the first to admit that things are not going as well for him this season. I don't know what the answer us. We can't do a "Richard Jolly" for him due to the transfer window (and someone please correct me if that's not the case) but we need to find a way for it to click into place for him, especially in games like yesterday when Omar seemed to be playing deeper than normal.

Aside from those two minor points, it was a much improved performance and more worthy than some of our recent draws (Salford especially). I thought Milsom and Randall down the left look impressive (Randall well in with a shout for my man of the match) and having Eastmond back made a huge difference to the middle of the park compared to Tuesday.

Any point away from home is a good one, and we really have to make it 6 out of 6 in our next two games who, on paper, are against sides weaker than us who combined only have 4 more points than we do.

[davep]

We need to win our next three games if we want to remain on course for 'the double' 😊