Pools stand firm to win down south Heed await news on proposed plans for hybrid competition
TORQUAY 0 HARTLEPOOL 1 ‘TIME IS RUNNING OUT’
LUKE Molyneux’s first half goal was enough to see off Torquay United at Plainmoor and give Hartlepool a massive three points in the National League promotion race.
Molyneux scored the only goal of the game as Dave Challinor’s side completed the perfect away performance to move level on points with their opponents at the top of the table.
Challinor – who admitted it was the angriest he had been for some time in midweek after his side threw away three points against Halifax – will have been delighted with his team’s performance in what was a six-pointer at the top of the league.
Pools defended resolutely and limited the home side to very little throughout the game with goalkeeper Ben Killip not being forced into any real action until the closing stages of the game when he was on hand to deny substitute Billy Waters from close range.
The win was Hartlepool’s first on the road in 2021.
Challinor made two changes to the side who drew that game at Halifax in midweek with Rhys Oates coming in for Gavan Holohan and Ryan Johnson passing a late fitness test to replace Timi Odusina in defence.
And it was Pools who began the game on the front foot winning an early corner which was cleared only as far as Jamie Sterry on the edge of the area but he scuffed his effort wide of the post.
The away side were rewarded for their bright start in the 14th minute when Luke Armstrong – so often the right man in the right place this season for Hartlepool – turned provider for Molyneux.
Nicky Featherstone’s pass found Armstrong midway inside the Torquay half and he was able to roll his marker before playing an inch-perfect pass into the path of Molyneux who had slipped between left back Jake Andrews and centre half Joe Lewis.
Molyneux kept his cool and was able to slide the ball beyond the advancing Shaun Macdonald into the corner to give Pools a priceless lead.
Oates came close to a second two minutes later when his marauding run escaped Ben Wynter down the left and he stung the palms of Macdonald with a near post effort.
Killip, a spectator for the first half, made his first contribution in the game five minutes after the restart when Connor Lemonheigh-evans was able to spin his way past Sterry in the penalty area and get a low strike at goal which Killip got down to comfortably usher wide.
Pools might have expected to come under more pressure in the second half but it was they who looked the more likely to get the next goal.
Pools best chance to kill the game came in the 83rd minute when Featherstone’s corner from the left was punched clear as far as Johnson who looped an effort goalward but Adam Randell was there to head clear off the line. That clearance landed at the feet of substitute Holohan who volleyed back towards goal forcing Macdonald into an excellent save to keep the hosts in the game.
With time running out Torquay almost snatched an equaliser when Josh Umerah was able to fire a low cross in from the right which found Waters eight yards out but Killip got down superbly low to his left to deny the substitute.
Asa Hall was unable to steer Andrews stoppage time corner the right side of the post as Hartlepool stood firm to win three vital points. Hartlepool XI: Killip; Ferguson, Johnson, Liddle, Cass, Sterry; Featherstone, Shelton; Molyneux (Holohan ’79), Armstrong, Oates (Bloomfield ’90) Subs: Odusina, Crawford, Grey
Torquay XI: Macdonald, Wynter, Lemonheigh-evans, Hall ©, Little (Waters ’58), Andrews, Randell, Sherring, Boden (Umerah ’76), Lewis, Whitfield Subs: Bose, Koszela, Brzozowski
GATESHEAD will neither rule in or out their participation in any proposed hybrid National League North/south competition.
The Tynesiders were one of 24 clubs across the two divisions that voted to terminate the 2020/21 campaign.
The vote to null and void was carried by five votes, yet a possible replacement competition remains on the table.
The respective league leaders, Gloucester City and Dorking Wanderers, are among an estimated 15-20 clubs keen to play on.
The seven Conference North clubs that voted against ending the season were all in the top eight when the original verdict was delivered.
Gateshead were just outside, two points from a play-off position with games in hand of all but two of the clubs above them.
Vice-chairman Bernard Mcwilliams does not believe the replacement competition will see the light of day.
Player-manager Mike Williamson believes there is a conversation to be had if it does.
“The Board looked at the bigger picture and thought it was the right thing to vote to null and void the season,” said Williamson.
“When the league vote at our level went that way we presumed that was that.
“While it would have been financially difficult, we could have played on and completed the season if we had needed to.”
Gateshead, one of a handful of professional clubs in National
League North, have put their squad on flexi-furlough.
That allows the players to tick over with the Heed having played just one game this year.
“If there is the possibility of a smaller league or two mini leagues then I will talk to the chairman,” added Williamson.
“I don’t know if the proposed new competition is a goer or not, but time is running out.
“It will probably be April before the two mini leagues or joint league gets underway – if it does.
“I don’t know whether it has legs or not and the way the National League has handled things, whether it is possible.
“What we don’t want is next season being delayed as the sooner we get back to normal the better.
“The situation we have had in society has been tragic, the way coronavirus has hit the country.
“At the moment our focus is on pre-season and getting everything in place for the 2021/22 campaign.”
Any one-off replacement league will have promotion at the core of their ambition.
How many promotion places would be available is unknown, though it could be two.
Basement National League club Dover Athletic have already downed tools and are refusing to play on.
The absence of adequate funding is the Kent club’s defence, others, like King’s Lynn, also threatening to abort their season for the same reason.
Should Dover be kicked out of the top tier, and two are promoted, noone else would be relegated if they finished the season.
Due to Macclesfield Town’s demise the National League has been running a club short this season.
It is all up in the air and while time is of the essence Gateshead director Mcwilliams believes it is a nonstarter.
“Like Brexit those who lost won’t accept what was a democratic vote,” said Mcwilliams.
“It is all pie in the sky. They are chasing their tails and clutching at straws.
“We won’t comment on something that is unlikely to get off the ground.
“We will only do so if or when the National League makes a formal announcement.
“We are in a better position than many clubs in our league, but know what it’s like to be in financial straits.
“We’re not flush right now but run the club prudently and work within our financial model.
“The new competition would probably mean a lot of long trips as few northern clubs are likely to be involved.
“Two up and no one relegated from the National League doesn’t seem feasible.
“There are well backed clubs at our level desperate to play – all for six of them to chase a promotion dream.
“Some clubs in National League North and South need a reality check.
“The whole thing is nonsensical and I can’t see it getting past the National League or FA.”
Given Gateshead’s backing to terminate this season it is unlikely they would now have a change of heart.
The last 12 months, however, have been a roller coaster with many twists and turns.
Gateshead have applied to Sport England for a grant from the Sports Winter Survival Package.
“It’s been a few weeks now and we haven’t heard anything, but there was nothing lost in filling in the forms.
“We’re putting next year’s budget together and there are exciting plans to develop the squad.
“We are also planning on crowds returning next season, and we don’t want any new competition to delay the starting date.
“The fans have been away for a year now. We need them back and bums on seats will be very important. Crowds were on the up before the season was terminated and we’re looking forward to getting them back.”
We are in a better position than many clubs in our league, but know what it’s
like to be in financial straits.
Mike Williamson
IT was a thoroughly professional performance from Sunderland this afternoon as they made light work of Rochdale.
Lee Johnson made two changes to the side that beat Swindon Town just four days ago – Oliver Younger made his first start of the season with Aiden O’brien also coming into the team. Josh Scowen and the injured Lynden Gooch made way.
The Black Cats wingers were impressive this afternoon and Charlie Wyke maintained his prolific run in front of goal.
Here are some of the key talking points from Sunderland’s win over Rochdale.
GOOD OLD FASHIONED WING PLAY
It was nice to see two wingers get to the byline and put crosses into the middle.
Sunderland have overcomplicated their attacking approach at times this season and slowed the game down unnecessarily in the final third.
There was nothing fancy about their approach play this afternoon. They got chalk on their boots and wasted no time beating their opposition numbers and getting crosses in early.
Both wide-men grabbed assists this afternoon in a lively first half performance. The pair caused problems for the Dale back four every time they went forward.
Mcgeady’s pinpoint delivery from a free-kick near the deadball line could not have been any more inviting for Dion Sanderson who opened the scoring with a powerful header that left Bazunu with no chance.
Jones then got in on the act with a delightful ball into the area from the right-hand side of the box – Charlie Wyke made no mistake.
There was nothing overly fancy from Sunderland’s wingers this afternoon – but turned in a professional performance.
CHARLIE WYKE
We’re quickly running out of superlatives to describe Wyke’s fantastic run in front of goal at the moment.
Sunderland’s number nine has 15 goals in his last 15 outings.
It certainly isn’t out of the question to think he could reach 30 goals this campaign before the season is finished.
His header this afternoon was his 20th in the league and 25th in all competitions.
The Black Cats have not had much to shout about in recent season’s but if Wyke carries this on, it could well become a successful campaign.
It’s not just his goals that have been impressive. Wyke has transformed himself into a complete forward rather than a target man.
His ability to lead the line and press under Lee Johnson allows Sunderland to get up the pitch and keep their opposition on their toes.
SOLID DEBUT FROM OLIVER
YOUNGER
The Black Cats youngster has been on the fringes of the first-team this season and finally got his breakthrough yesterday.
The 21-year-old has featured twice for the first team in the EFL Trophy this season.
His debut coming in a 2-1 defeat at Fleetwood Town in the final game of the group stages, where he was impressive and went close to scoring.
His second was a substitute appearance at Stadium:mk in the Quarter Finals of the competition.
He lined up at right-back and was well marshalled by Dion Sanderson in the opening stages of the game.
There were some signs of nervousness from the youngster in terms of his passing but grew in confidence as the game went on.
He produced a great last-ditch header to deny Dale a certain equaliser just before the brink of halftime.
The Black Cats youngster was withdrawn from the action after 52 minutes in a solid debut.