SATURDAYS haven’t been much fun for Hartlepool United in 2017.

Pools have recorded just four weekend wins this year, and one of them ended in the biggest disappointment of them all as they were relegated.

Nine days ago and Pools gave the most miserable display in losing to AFC Fylde.

This time around and, for once, the Saturday night pint of Strongarm never tasted better.

Pools gave their most complete display in a long time. This had the verve and swagger of a Neale Cooper team performance in 2004. Energy aplenty, attacking at will and not allowing the opposition an inch.

Those characteristics have been sadly missing this season.

Craig Harrison, as Pools stuttered along in the opening six games, insisted that there would be a different look to his side when they stopped giving soft goals away and having to chase games.

He’s proved right in the last two games. Twice they’ve taken the lead, winning both times.

Six points from six has lifted everyone off the floor from the previous week’s display. And with it Pools can lift themselves from the floor of the National League.

Their position is still a major disappointment. But there’s promise and hope now, where there was none seven days ago.

“This win was a small reward, a stepping stone and now we have to make sure we do that the week after and the week after and the week after,’’ mused boss Harrison.

“If we are going to sit and talk about getting where we want to then in six, seven weeks we might be closer.

“Right now it’s a building block, that’s all. We start again Monday. Enjoy the weekend, feel proud of the shift they have put in and now after back to back wins we want three on the back.

“Start again, ground zero if you like, and take next week as if we have not won a game.’’

The club deserve credit for slapping admission back to a mere £5 on Saturday. The display against Fylde wasn’t even worth that much.

But the fans responded and the biggest gate of the season was rewarded with the best display.

Harrison spoke on his appointment of wanting a team which presses the opposition to win the ball back quickly when they’ve not got it, of a team looking to get forward in numbers and at pace, of players being proud to wear the shirt and represent the club.

On Saturday they pressed with the nature of a dog chasing a lost bone. When they didn’t have the ball they soon won it back.

They don’t really demand much at Victoria Park, effort and a willingness to put an honest shift in often suffices.

As they led 1-0 in a first-half of sheer dominance, captain Carl Magnay and Michael Woods chased in midfield, Woods won the tackle after Magnay put the lad off. It brought a cheer as big as any of the three goals.

Right from the off they attacked, for a change the opposition goalkeeper was the busiest man on the pitch.

Woods was magnificent, running, chasing, pressing, creating.

“Woodsy was brilliant,’’ reflected Harrison. “Hawksy has had a little bit more game time. Woodsy hasn’t played since half-time against Dover.

“His attitude around the place is positive, he’s an honest lad. He says how it is, no loaded questions, loaded sarcasm. You get that players not in the team, they are thinking about players in their position in the team not doing as well.

“It’s human nature – we all know it happens.

“But Woodsy has been unbelievable. He’s been so positive, never once been a little bit of a problem. To keep in the shape he has and to be as positive as he has been… when we have been beaten things have been said and he’s still willing to stand up and now say he should be playing, but instead it’s been about what we should be doing as a team – not I should be playing.

“I cannot speak highly enough of him – as a man as much as a player he’s been excellent.’’

Pools took the lead as defender Keith Watson swept home a low finish from their umpteenth corner.

After 30 minutes they had racked up nine shots and five corners. They have gone months without as much attacking verve in recent seasons.

Maidstone were the worst team to play at Victoria Park since Pools the previous week. In fact they were almost as bad.

Yet on half time they almost levelled, only a smart save from Scott Loach kept the lead.

The visitors did start the second half better and pressed Pools back for the first time.

But Pools broke, played some glorious football going forward and swept the ball wide to Nicky Deverdics. His cross picked out Jonathan Franks who headed in for his second goal in as many games since returning to the club.

Deverdics, a stand-in left back, offers great early delivery from wide. Twice in the first-half his crossed caused problems in the area.

“I don’t think he seems himself as a left-back, but he needs to get rid to of his orange boots is he’s going to be one!’’ quipped Harrison.

The third goal saw Franks push wide and jink through two defenders. His floated cross picked out Connor Simpson, who towered above two defenders to powerfully head home.

The 17-year-old became the first player born this century to score for the club.

It should be the first of many. Thrown in at the end of last season, he has been back in the youth side of late.

But with Jake Cassidy awaiting the results of a scan amid concerns he could be out of action for a few weeks, Simpson led the line well.

Up against the big frame of Magnus Okunghae, he gave the former Pools loanee a tough time.

Harrison added: “Connor has got the back post header in and it’s a fantastic finish for such a young lad. He worked his socks off and his overall play was very good.

“He showed a lot of maturity and the goal rounds it off for him. Him and Devante (Rodney) started – 17 and 19 – there’s a lot of inexperience and both were fantastic and they need to keep that up. I’ve told them that afterwards.

“I know what it takes to play at the very top level and I was fortunate to do that at Middlesbrough with a great manager and a great club for that. We have to manage the young lads well and not put that pressure on them.

“They need to have the attitude they will come into training to get better.’’