Goals
1-0: MacDonald (44, first dose of defensive calamity saw wide man curl in from long-range)
2-0: MacDonald (46, cross from the right not dealt with and he waltzed across the pedestrians in the back four to score)
3-0: Cansdell-Sherriff (64, near post corner flicked in without a challenge)
4-0: Beavon (69, opened up the defence by making the most of all the time he needed to create opening)
Bookings: Austin (foul 38), Green (foul 88)
Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey): Two bizarre and shocking decisions – one offside, one not giving a corner – but this officious official didn’t affect the outcome 4
Attendance: 2,474
Entertainment: **
BURTON ALBION (4-4-2): McLaughlin 5; Edwards 6, Cansdell-Sherriff 6, Mousinho 6, McCrory 6; MacDonald 8 (Harness 77), Weir 8 (Palmer 82), Lenihan 8 , Morris 6; Blyth 7, Beavon 7 (Knowles 72). Subs (not used): Matthews (gk), Taft, Sharps, McGurk.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-2-3-1)
5 Flinders: Shipped four goals, and was again totally exposed and embarrassed by those in front of him;
3 Richards: Part of a back four which collapsed with all-too familiar ease, too static for goals two and four
2 Bates: A truly shocking performance from a player of his experience, his worst yet of a lumbering season
3 Austin: Did nothing to combat the Burton attackers who dominated in and around the penalty area far too easily
5 Holden: Bright in the first half and energetic on the front foot. Could have scored from one forward surge;
4 Featherstone: Deeply ineffective in a deep midfield role. Has stopped getting on the ball and passing it simply like he was when he signed
6 DOLAN: First-half was Pools’ stand-out performer by some distance, but when he was pushed to the left wing he was quiet;
4 Franks: Never stopped trying and running, but created nothing of note
3 Walker: Desperately unproductive. Had a cushioned role to try and support the striker, but never got involved
5 Compton: A bright start on his return from injury, but impact was minimal before being replaced;
5 Harewood: Lone striker, with no support from midfield. Never looked like he was going to be a goal threat.
Subs:
Woods (for Compton 46): Never involved as Pools collapsed within minutes of his arrival 4
Fenwick (for Harewood 63): Like Harewood before him, not a day for a Pools centre forward 4
Green (for Walker 68): Put himself about a bit to show the more experienced players how to get about the opposition 6
(not used): Maxted (gk), Hawkins, Lanzoni, Ironside.
MAN OF THE MATCH
ALEX MacDonald – two goals, hard-working and committed display
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