Goals:
0-1: Alessandra (18, took possession in the area, turned and fired in as the defenders stood off)
1-1: Osayi-Samuel (21, cross to the far post, and had time to shoot low into the far corner)
2-1: Vassell (83, fluked a cross into the far side of the net)
Booked: Donnelly (37 foul); Featherstone (45, foul), Danns (65, foul); Thomas (74, handball)
Referee: Darren England (Barnsley): Shy when it came to making big calls. Should have sent Neil Danns off for a second booking in the second-half but fudged it 4
Attendance: 5,374
Entertainment: 4/5
BLACKPOOL (4-2-3-1): Lyness 7; Mellor 6, Aldred 5, Robertson 6, Daniel 6; Danns 6 (Black 72), Payne 7; Delfounso 5 (Flores 67), Osayi-Samuel 7, Potts 6; Cullen 5 (Vassell 72). Subs: Slocombe (gk), Aimson, Matt, Odelusi.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-5-1):
7 Fryer: Didn’t do anything wrong, made good and solid saves when called into action;
5 Donnelly: Started slowly and uneasily, but did improve as the game went on and got on top of his game
7 Walker: Neat and comfortable in possession and was rarely troubled or flustered at the back once again
7 Harrison: Signed a new deal last week, and it’s fully deserved. Enjoying a consistent run of good form
6 Deverdics: Slotted in well at left-back and he’s happy with the ball at his feet in building from the back;
6 Thomas: A frustrating afternoon. In and out of the game, but is always a threat. Closely marked throughout
6 Woods: Got better after a slow start and when he gets the ball in advanced positions he can hurt the opposition
5 Featherstone: Didn’t get much room or space in midfield to try and dictate possession for Pools in his usual manner
7 Hawkins: His best show under boss Jones. Involved and at the heart of a hard-working midfield unit
7 ALESSANDRA: Took his goal well and kept going, looking for that opening on the front foot, while putting in a real shift;
7 Amond: A bit of a thankless task up front alone, but never gives the opposition a chance to settle. Should have scored when clean through.
Sub:
Rooney (for Woods 82)
(not used): Dudzinski (gk), Bates, Oates, Hawkes, Richardson, Rodney.
MAN OF THE MATCH Lewis Alessandra: Always involved and even when he erred he still did everything to rectify the mistake. Playing as well for Pools now as he has all season.
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