New boy Marcus Richardson got his Hartlepool United career off to a solid start yesterday.

Hours after signing a two-year contract at Victoria Park the powerful striker made his mark in the 4-1 reserve win over Scarborough.

He scored one and helped set up two more to impress watching manager Chris Turner.

Richardson has already scored against Pool this season, netting the equaliser for Torquay in the 1-1 draw at Plainmoor on August 24 - and it was that goal which convinced Turner he was worth keeping tabs on.

"We were very pleased with him,'' said Turner. "It was a good way to start. He didn't know anyone in the team until an hour before kick-off.

"He worked very hard and showed he has a good touch. He will be on the bench on Saturday and gives us an extra option.''

Richardson was offered a new contract at Torquay when his three-month deal expired, but couldn't agree terms, and and Turner revealed: "The week before we played them we had them watched at York. They were 3-0 down and he came on at half-time and changed the game for them.

"Then he scored against us the next week and it was a case of biding our time to see what was happening with his contract.

"He left there last week and had two other teams in our division come in for him over the weekend, but he wanted to come to us.''

Richardson, 6ft 3in, joined Cambridge from non-League Harrow Borough in March 2001 and followed boss Roy McFarland to Torquay last season for £5,000, netting eight times in 21 starts. Including his stint at Cambridge, he has ten goals in 28 League starts.

Paul Smith came through 90 minutes action unscathed yesterday, as did Paul Arnison, who missed Saturday's defeat to Rushden with calf trouble. Kevin Henderson, Tony Sweeney and Jermaine Easter were also on target.

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