Barmby’s lob gives FAB fans late boost
IT wasn’t quite International Rescue – but just when it looked like Hartlepool United were going to lose an unhealthy 21st game of the season, up popped Jack Barmby to save them.
Pools, on their final and longest away game of the season, were backed by around 200 supporters dressed as Thunderbirds puppets, in keeping with their recent tradition of ending the season in style.
And the fancy dress brigade were celebrating when the Manchester United loanee coolly lifted the ball over Plymouth keeper Jake Cole for a deserved equaliser.
His goal came after defender Durrell Berry left a header aimed at Cole way short and Barmby nipped in to pounce.
Boss Colin Cooper said: “Jack’s goal was very composed. For a young player there has been an awful lot of positive in his time with us and made a very valuable contribution. At times there will be ups and downs and we have had five goals.We accept he is 19 and gives us plenty of positive things.
“The fans were brilliant, I’ve long looked forward to it. It was trending on Twitter this morning and it was a sight to behold. I’m so pleased with what has gone on and they can go home happy with a positive result.’’
But the Pilgrims took the lead, Jason Banton scoring a classy individ- ual effort, not long after big striker Enoch Showumni had twice gone close, landing one shot on the roof of the net, before turning over from close range.
Banton cut in from the left flank and waltzed through the Pools defence to bend his finish into the far corner of the net.
Bradley Walker went close for Pools, testing Cole from distance, before the keeper kept out a fierce Barmby shot from 25 yards. After Pools levelled, and in a frantic finish, visiting winger Jack Compton broke away, and his shot from the edge of the area hit the post with Cole beaten.
At the other end, Pools stopper Flinders was relieved to see a curling freekick from Conor Hourihane cannon back off the frame of the goal in injury time.
Pilgrims boss John Sheridan said:“Was there an end of season feel about it? I would have liked to have won for the fans more than anyone.
“I thought we were going to win it, and played well in patches in lovely conditions.
“We then went on the back foot for no reason and it all went flat. I would have liked to have won, but I put a team out to win it and we didn’t which was a shame really.”