Paynter’s spot on as Pools recover
TWO managers with attacking intent saw their sides cancel each other out on the opening day in what turned out to be a disappointing draw.
Hartlepool United and Colchester United, bossed by Craig Hignett and John McGreal respectively, went for it but failed to find a winner.
In truth, it could have arrived at either end, but both bosses were fairly satisfied with their lot.
The U’s, relegated last season, got off to a memorable start.
New Pools’ defender Toto Nsiala gave away possession with a weak pass, and from the resulting corner Tom Eastman was able to pick his spot and fire into the top corner.
Pools were level when the ever-dangerous Nathan Thomas was tripped in the area by Lewis Kinsella and Billy Paynter, last season’s top scorer, netted from the spot.
Pools then got on top and should have been ahead by half-time.
Padraig Amond drilled a low finish high over the bar after being set up by Thomas, who was regularly tormenting full-back Richard Brindley.
Another new recruit, Lewis Alessandra, hesitated in possession and his goalbound shot was blocked, before the U’s became dangerous on the counter-attack.
Eastman bounced a header over for what would have been a second for the centrehalf and, as the game closed out, Kurtis Guthrie was clear, but finished wayward.
Hignett reflected: “It could have been 2-1 to them after four minutes. They first attack they could have scored and then did from their second.
“Second half at 1-1 we sat back, dropped off and let them have chances.
“There was loads of chances, for both sides. We had five or six, Podge [Amond] had one to score, Rob Jones, Nathan Thomas a couple.
“It was a hard call to pick a team – I had four different teams there and could have played any of them.’’ McGreal said: “It's new beginnings. We're trying to win games of football and I've made attacking substitutions to try to win the game.
“It's going to be a bit of a rollercoaster at times because we want to attack and win.
“But I think that's what the fans want to see. They love attacking play and we've created plenty of chances today.
“It's a positive result for us, but we could have had the three points in my opinion.
“I'm a new manager, we have new players and we want to try to do things a bit different.”