Performance is great as Pools make it eight

HARTLEPOOL 1 BARNET 0

THE last time Hartlepool played in front of the TV cameras they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season conceding five as they were humbled by league leaders Torquay United.

There would be no such failings this time however, as Pools put in one their best performances of the season to comfortably see off relegation threatened Barnet at Victoria Park.

It was their eighth successive win on home soil as Dave Challinor’s side look to emulate Danny Wilson’s 200607 Hartlepool side who racked up nine wins in a row during their promotion from League Two.

In truth The Bees offered very little threat in this game with the scoreline doing little to reflect Hartlepool’s dominance.

As it was, it was Luke Armstrong – who continued his excellent form in front of goal by scoring his ninth goal in just 13 games since his arrival in December – who settled the game just after the half hour mark.

Despite the home side missing a number of golden opportunities – including Armstrong who failed to convert from just two yards out – Pools were able to see the game through to move level on points with Sutton United in second place of the National League table, four behind Torquay ahead of next weekend’s trip to Devon.

Challinor made one change from the midweek stalemate at Wrexham with Rhys Oates replacing Joe Grey and they controlled the game from the start with the impressive Jamie Sterry and Lewis Cass causing the visitors a number of problems down the right.

It was from there where Pools almost took the lead as Armstrong got on the end of the overlapping Cass’ cross to force a smart save from Barnet keeper Scott Loach.

The pair linked again a minute later as Armstrong got his head to Cass’ cross but was off target this time.

Armstrong did make the breakthrough in the 33rd minute though when he slammed the ball into the roof of the net from Mark Shelton’s near post cross.

Cass played it to Sterry whose excellent first-time pass freed Shelton and the midfielder was able to find Armstrong inside the six yard box to give Pools a deserved lead.

They should have doubled their lead a minute later when Oates met Shelton’s cross but he guided his header over the bar.

Full-back David Ferguson tried his luck with a free-kick from the edge of the area, before Armstrong again threatened as he got in front of his man but steered his effort wide.

Gavan Holohan was denied early in the second half with Sterry again the architect down the right. His back post cross found Holohan who saw his attempt diverted over.

From the resulting corner Ryan Johnson tested Loach but he was equal to the defenders header.

Oates connected with Sterry’s cross again on the hour mark, but sent his near post effort just beyond the far post as Pools searched for a second.

Luke Molyneux came off the bench and he too was off target 10 minutes from time from Sterry’s pull back, before Armstrong missed the chance of the game a minute from time to wrap things up.

Molyneux’s clever play on the left created an opening and his cross was perfect from Armstrong, who had the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net from almost on the goal line before the ball was caught under his feet and the chance went begging.

It wouldn’t matter though as Pools kept a clean sheet to take all three points.

HARTLEPOOL XI: Killip, Sterry, Cass, Liddle ©, Johnson, Ferguson, Shelton, White, Holohan, Oates (Molyneux ’73), Armstrong. Subs: Odusina, Bloomfield, Grey, Crawford

BARNET XI: Loach, Dunne ©, Mcqueen, Petrasso (Mason-clark ’76), Hooper, Taylor. H, Richards-everton, Adeloye (Bakerrichardson ’67), Judd, Taylor. R, Daly. Subs: Kefalas, Mcburnie, Azaze

No chance with the goals and made several saves to keep Sunderland in the contest

Improved in the second half but was still beaten too easily, too often

DION SANDERSON

Well below-par in the first half, but he did well in the second and his blocks prevented Crewe running away with it

Uncharacteristically shaky in central defence

LYNDEN GOOCH

Brought a couple of saves out of the keeper in the first half

MAX POWER

Too slow in midfield, although he got better when the changes were made

JOSH SCOWEN

Offered little besides endeavour on his return to the side

CALLUM MCFADZEAN

Caught out time and again, and it was no surprise he was hooked on the hour

AIDEN O’BRIEN

Sent an early shot over, and set up a chance for Gooch. One of the four who went off on the hour

CHARLIE WYKE

Had very little service, but he held the ball up better late in the game

AIDEN MCGEADY

Utterly anonymous