Goals:
0-1: Akinfenwe (24, a few short passes on the edge of the area and the big striker bundled in from ten yards)
0-2: Cowan-Hall (90, took the ball past Deverdics into space and cracked in a low angled finish)
Bookings: O’Neil (28, foul), Cowan-Hall (82, handball), Harrison (90, foul)
Sending-off: Cowan-Hall (90, second bookable offence, foul)
Referee: David Webb (Stanley): Missed two clear Pools penalties, allowed the visitors to run the game for him. An afternoon of sheer struggle 3
Entertainment: 2/5
Attendance: 3,356
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-5-1):
7 Fryer: When Wycombe flung a few second-half shots at goal, he was up to the task of keeping them out with firm and spectacular saves;
6 Richardson: Signed his first professional deal last week and has adapted seamlessly to first-team football. Another assured show against a tricky opponent
8 WALKER: A Rolls Royce of a centre-half. Uses the ball better from the back than he ever did in midfield
7 Harrison: Strong and dominant, can be forgiven for being shouldered off the ball by Akinfenwe given every defender in the land could suffer the same fate
6 Deverdics: An unusual defensive role for a creative player, but needs must. Didn’t let anyone down and always looked to play more advanced;
7 Alessandra: Took plenty of possession in midfield and tried to drive forward into space when allowed. Playing as well as he has for Pools
5 Woods: Too quiet for his liking. When he pushes on with the ball, Pools are a better attacking side for it and he never got into this one
6 Featherstone: Sat deep as ever, but was pressed and closed down without being given much time on the ball
5 Hawkins: Last March was his breakthrough, but he didn’t make the most of this start in midfield before he was replaced
6 Thomas: He’s always a danger and constantly looks to get forward with the ball at his feet, but at times got it stuck with the ball;
6 Amond: Never stops running, but chances were scarce and the one time he was set to score, he suffered as Woods got in the way.
Sub:
Rooney (for Hawkins 72)
(not used): Bartlett (gk), Bates, Orrell, Martin, Hawkes, Rodney.
WYCOMBE WANDERERS (4-2-3-1): Blackman 6; Harriman 6, Pierre 5 (Muller 31, 6), De Havilland 7, Jacobson 6; O’Nein 7, Gape 6; Southwell 7, Saunders 7, Weston 6; Akinfenwe 6 (Cowan-Hall 55, 6). Subs (not used): Richardson (gk), Jombati, Thompson, Freeman, Jackbiak.
MAN OF THE MATCH BRAD Walker – in possession he was more comfortable and assured than anyone else.
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