Goal:
1-0: Featherstone (17, low angled drive across the keeper from 20 yards)
Bookings: James (30, dissent); Kioso (51, foul); Weir (59, foul); Weston (76, foul)
Referee: Joe Hull (Cheshire): Hapless, hopeless and not helped by his comedy sidekicks 2
Attendance: 3773
Entertainment: 5/5
HARTLEPOOL UNITED (3-5-2):
7 Loach: Always in the thick of it under long ball pressure. Never troubled and made his stops when he had to;
8 Kioso: Defies his inexperience with his defensive nous. Made tackles and interceptions throughout and gave as good as he good
9 MAGNAY: In the absence of Davies, he has took on the mantle of defensive leader. A towering presence in the middle of the back three;
7 Anderson: Did what was asked of him and stood his ground when put under pressure in the second-half;
6 Donaldson: Didn’t get much chance to attack and played deeper than he prefers, but stuck at what was asked of him
8 Featherstone: Scored and is relishing the freedom of playing in a three-man midfield. Gives him the opportunity to show a side of his game not on display too much
8 Noble: Knows how to play the game, used all his nous and gamesmanship when called he had to. Must be an absolute nuisance to play against
7 Woods: Should have scored to put Pools two up shortly after the opener, another who is suited to a three-man midfield set-up
6 Kitching: Solid on the left, against a full-back who likes to get forward. Plenty of effort and honesty in his performance;
8 Muir: Fast becoming a crowd favourite – touch and movement exemplary throughout the game and his wiry running caused the defenders problems
8 James: A good understanding with Muir has been formed already. If they aren’t scoring then they are creating and running past defenders.
Subs:
McLaughlin (for Woods 74)
Dinanga (for Muir 90)
(not used): Laing, Cassidy, Newton.
CHESTERFIELD (3-5-2): Burton 6; Evans 3 (Reid 33, 5), Nelson 7, Hollis 6; Talbot 7, Rowley 5, Weston 7, Weir 6 (Fortune 60, 7), Muggleton 7 (Shaw 75); Ugwu 6, Hines 6. Subs (not used): Barry, Maguire.
MAN OF THE MATCH
CARL Magnay – captain last year, but showing his leadership qualities with performances like this
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