Goals:

1-0: Fenwick (38, low finish at the far post after meeting a Compton cross)

2-0: Bingham (69, raced away on the counter attack and finished low across the keeper)

Bookings: Jones (37, foul); Vaughan (55, foul), S Harrison (90, unsporting behaviour), Dunn (90, unsporting behaviour)

Referee: Richard Clark (Morpeth): Aside from a free-for-all melee on the final whistle, which he dealt with sensibly, didn’t have much to worry about 8

Entertainment: 4/5

 

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2):

 

6 Flinders: Conditions weren’t easy and one late scare aside when he came off his line and was felled, didn’t have any concerns;

6 Duckworth: Very disciplined defensively first-half and then in the second period he edged forward a bit too much for Moore’s liking

8 HARRISON: Immense at the back, won header after header and dominated the opposition strikers all day

7 Jones: Switching into the middle has proved a masterstroke – does the basics very well, made endless blocks and challenges and won the vast majority of them again

6 Austin: Can take pride from keeping a clean sheet and defended his area better this time;

6 Franks: Busy and lively and frustrating in equal measures. Took the game forward to the opposition at times and his workrate was high

7 Tshibola: Offers some strength in the middle of the park, roamed around the place with authority and covered plenty of ground

7 Woods: Lively and positive from start to finish in midfield – Tshibola’s influence gave him a chance to stand out and impress with his ability on the ball

6 Compton: Lovely delivery for the opening goal, rolling over a fine cross which was there to be attacked. Looked like he enjoyed this performance;

7 Fenwick: Relished the physical challenge with the centre-halves. Scored one, could have had three and this display offered real promise

7 Bingham: Brings something to the table Pools don’t have – raw pace. Started, created and finished the second goal.

Subs (not used): Maxted (gk), Holden, Bates, Walker, Featherstone, Richards, Nearney.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (4-4-2): Carson 4; Vaughan 4, Jones 5, Brown 5, Braham-Barrett 3; Ferdinand 4, Richards 4, Stewart 5, Sterling-James 5 (HARRISON 54, 6); Dunn 4, Gornell 4 (Williams 70, 5). Subs (not used): Haworth, Deaman, Hanks, Kotwica, Reynolds.

MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT HARRISON – he’s a young defender, but played with the authority and nous Pools need in the back four.