Goals:

1-0: Watson (28, turned and swept home a low finish after Pools kept a half-cleared corner alive)

2-0: Franks (57, flowing move saw Deverdics cross from the left for a stooping header from ten yards)

3-0: Simpson (68, good work by Franks on the right, high cross and picked out the striker for a towering header)

Bookings: Watson (43, foul); Hawkins (64, foul)

Referee: Peter Gibbons (Wirral): Nothing wrong with his display in the main 7

Attendance: 4,137

Entertainment: 5/5

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3):

7 Loach: Key saves at key moments, at 1-0 and 2-0 preserved the advantage on a relatively quiet afternoon;

7 Magnay: The defence is better balanced with the captain at right-back; got stuck in and drove forward on the flank

8 Watson: Looking as astute loan signing, defends will and simply. Wins his headers and challenges with no fuss

7 Ledger: He will have bigger tests in the games ahead, but this was a solid and attractive introduction after a loan from Sunderland

7 Deverdics: Never looked a left-back last season when pitched in there, but offered great delivery from wide this time;

9 WOODS: Superb display in the middle – prompted Pools’ tempo with his incessant workrate and put the effort in from the off

8 Featherstone: Had the time to really prompt Pools this week and his simple and effective passing created plenty of openings

8 Hawkins: His best game in a long, long time. Complimented Woods well with a willingness to put the extra yards in;

7 Rodney: Started powerfully on the right side as he drove at the opposition and they couldn’t handle him when he did it

8 Simpson: Can be very proud of his first start. Never bothered by the visiting defenders and he led the line well. Took his goal superbly

8 Franks: A goal and an assist; can’t ask for any more and he seems a more mature player than the one who left Pools two years ago.

Subs:

Donaldson (for Rodney 61): Almost scored straight away and played with more determination than of late 7

Oates (for Simpson 78)

(not used): Munns, Richardson, Newton.

MAIDSTONE (4-2-3-1): Worgan 5; Hare 4, Wynter 3, Okuonghae 3, Anderson 4; Lewis 4, Reason 4 (Richards 57, 4); Sam-Yorke 3 (Ter Horst 77), Paxman 4, Hines 4 (Wraight 79); Piggott 4. Subs (not used): Finney, Prestedge.

MAN OF THE MATCH Michael Woods – a whirling dervish in midfield. Ran, closed down, passed, created openings. The pick of a good bunch.