Pool have a spot of bother in opener

ONE game down, 45 to go and Swindon Town might as well dish out an end of season award now.

As far as individual performances go, Peter Brezovan's will take some beating this season.

The Slovakian, making his debut after signing from Czech side FC Brno in the summer, won't forget his first visit to Hartlepool in a hurry.

He saved two penalties - one from Joel Porter, one from Ritchie Humphreys - and made a string of fine stops as Pools tormented Swindon for long, long periods, without being able to beat the giant keeper.

Managers Danny Wilson and Dennis Wise have both seen plenty during their football careers, whether they've seen anything like this display is doubtful.

It prompted one Pools fan to ask Wise after the game if Brezovan could write down Saturday's winning National Lottery numbers. The manager laughed the request off, but Wise is wise enough to know he is onto a winner.

"All I can say is my goalkeeper played fantastic,'' he admitted. "In the second half Hartlepool deserved a lot more than what they got, but I'm not complaining.

"Peter doesn't speak English, but I think he understood how well he played - everyone was cuddling him.

"It's mad, but we've got a bus driver who speaks Polish and so does Peter, so there is a way of getting through to him. He stopped the penalties and there was one save he made in the first half which was unbelievable.''

That stop was from Micky Nelson. Right on half-time he connected with a volley from a couple of yards and somehow Brezovan flung his frame in the way of it.

By then, he'd already stopped Porter's penalty and managed to keep the Aussies' deflected rebound out with an outstretched arm and leg.

Even when they did get past him, Pools hit the post and bar during a second half of utter dominance.

The last time Pools were awarded two penalties in a game was on Boxing Day 2005 when Adam Boyd converted both against Oldham.

On Saturday, Boyd was turning out - as a second half sub - for Luton after his £500,000 move.

On being awarded the first spot kick, Porter stood on the spot waiting for the ball to be returned by Matty Robson - who appeared to want to take it.

Then, after Porter was chopped down in the area for No 2, James Brown wanted it before Humphreys took control.

Twelve long months ago, Pools lost on the opening day at home to Bradford, as everyone left Victoria Park wondering what the months ahead would hold. A ragged and disjointed display set the tone for what was to come.

As all left Victoria Park on this occasion - standing ovations for a losing team say a lot - the good feeling and belief of an exciting season ahead remained.

"We played so well and created so many chances, you expect to come out of it with a win,'' reflected Wilson. "Yes we lost, but I think everyone could see how well we played and the fans realised that. If we play like that every week there will be no complaints.

"The big keeper had the game of his life. He's there to stop us and he did it to the extreme.

"We hit the post and bar and he's made numerous saves from other chances all day, he was unbeatable.

"But, on the downside, when you get two penalties, you expect to score them. General play, there are no complaints - it was a good start, apart from the result.''

He added: "We haven't got the win we deserved, but confidence has been lifted because of the way we played. In creating as many chances as we did, against a team who are supposed to be there at the end of the season, is something we take great positives from.

"Of course you don't want to lose at home on the first day of the season, but with the manner of the result we can only hope that it's a one-off.

"We had a lot of attacking options towards the end and we threw everything at them. They had a few counter attacks, but we coped very well and quickly turned the pressure back on them."

The goal came when Lee Peacock was given a free header from six yards to meet a left wing corner and head home. Pools were angry the goal was allowed to stand after Nelson was checked off when he tried to get close to the striker.

Nelson later headed off the line - although there was two other covering defenders behind him - from a Christian Roberts effort.

Swindon's strikeforce was Wilson's during his time at Bristol City and both turned out against Pools in the 2004 play-offs. Peacock's goal was his fourth against Pools in three years for three different clubs - City, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon.

But it was the other end where all the action took place.

As the game wore on Pools had more attacking options on the pitch than Sven-Goran Eriksson had in his squad for the World Cup.

When it came to spot-kicks, however, both sides were perfectly matched.