9:20am Saturday 20th March 2010
By Nick Loughlin
Tranmere Rovers 0 Hartlepool United 0
ON the night of Sport Relief came some much-needed light relief for Hartlepool United.
After nine successive away defeats, Pools finally picked up a point on the road.
The game at Tranmere was hardly enough to engineer much cheer, but it was just what Chris Turner’s side needed, particularly after last weekend’s horror show at Yeovil.
Pools are now three points clear of the drop zone, and will be watching today’s results with a great deal of interest.
The point may not have eased the pressure at the foot of the table, but it must have brought some confidence to the travel weary players.
“It’s hard to describe to people who haven’t watched us away from home this season how we have been playing,’’ said Turner. “We’ve played well, missed chances and came away with nothing.
“This was a gritty performance and was just what we needed. Conditions weren’t great but we dug in and showed our strength.
“There were few chances for Tranmere. I was looking for a response after last week and got it.
“In the second half we had the best chances, we looked comfortable, and our only worry was on set-plays. The back five played well and we didn’t let them force us back.
“We looked, in the second half like we were the team going to win the game.’’ Turner insisted last week he could have replaced ten players at half-time in the shabby loss at Yeovil.
For their next outing, he made three changes to the starting line-up, two of choice, one enforced.
Gary Liddle (groin) missed out, as Ritchie Jones and Adam Boyd were axed, with Ben Clark, James Brown and Ritchie Humphreys returning.
It was Brown’s first start since November when he suffered knee damage against Southampton. Clark was back in the side for a rare start and was solid and imposing throughout.
But while the game at Huish Park was disappointing, this was a dreadfully dull opening 45 minutes.
Rovers should have scored in the first-half’s only opening with some 20 minutes on the clock. Bas Savage, a former Pools triallist, headed a throw in into the six yard box and Craig Curran, under pressure from Peter Hartley, could only steer his effort wide.
Next up, Paul McLaren’s lob sailed off target.
Pools finally dug out their road map and found a route into the penalty box on 32 minutes. Joe Gamble set up Antony Sweeney but his halfchance was blocked.
Neil Austin hobbled off on 25 minutes with replacement Leon McSweeney adding some welcome pace to the back line and a willingness to drive forward when he could.
In the second-half, it was only the visitors who looked like they could win it.
After Terry Gornell shot low across Scott Flinders, Pools then created the best chances.
Roy O’Donovan bagged a hat-trick two weeks ago against Southend, but was nowhere near as prolific last night. Andy Monkhouse’s slide rule pass cut through the middle of the back four for the striker to home in on goal.
One on one with goalkeeper Luke Daniels, he picked his spot, but fired at the advancing keeper.
Pools switched to a 4-3-3 setup to try and win it and they could have done so.
O’Donovan ran across and beyond three defenders, but kicked the ground as he shaped to shoot and the ball trickled apologetically at Daniels.
Then the loan signing from Sunderland skinned Ian Goodison on the touchline and picked out Monkhouse.
This time, however, it was his turn to scuff his effort, losing control and sight of the ball as it bobbled across him.
Booking: Taylor (90, foul)
Attendance: 5,409
Referee: Keith Evans (Manchester) 6
Entertainment: ✰✰
TRANMERE ROVERS (4-4-2):
Daniels 7; LOGAN 7, Goodison 6, McCready 6, Cresswell 6; McLaren 6, Welsh 5 (Edds 83), Taylor 5; Savage 6, Gornell 5 (Shuker 65, 5), Curran 5 (Sordell 83).
Subs (not used): Broomes, Mahon, Collister, O’Neill.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2):
Flinders 5; Austin 5 (McSWEENEY 25, 7), Clark 7, Collins 6, Hartley 6; Brown 6 (Jones 80), Gamble 6, Sweeney 5 , Humphreys 5; Monkhouse 6, O’Donovan 5.
Subs (not used): Boyd, Haslam, Mackay, Cook (gk), Bjornsson.
MAN OF THE MATCH:
LEON McSweeney – gave Pools an extra attacking dimension from right back.
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