NO OLD PALS ACT FROM PODGE
AFTER netting 37 goals for Grimsby Town last season, it was only to be expected that Padraig Amond would return to his former club and haunt them.
Amond went back to Blundell Park for the first time since his summer move to Hartlepool United and clinically netted two goals as his new club enjoyed victory.
Amond now has four for the season, but he didn’t celebrate his poacher’s goals on this occasion. And both were outshone by a classy finish from Nathan Thomas for Pools’ third goal.
Hartlepool boss Craig Hignett said: “Podge [Amond] was always going to score, he was going to be a thorn in their side. It’s one of those things which happen. He has scored a load of goals here, and got two more.
“It’s quick reactions for the first and then the second is a great header. Two good goals for him and I’m really pleased.
“Nathan said he would do that and did. He did it in training last week and then does it again here. He showed his talent.
“Nath is a character. There’s not enough of them in the game and we are working with him to get better and you can see how much he’s come on. We all know what he is capable of.”
The Mariners started well but didn’t trouble Pools keeper Trevor Carson until they were trailing. And the visitors went in front when Lewis Alessandra’s shot came back off the post and Amond nipped in unchecked to finish. It was two when the Irishman deftly met a curling Alessandra cross to glance home a header from close range.
Carson made two brilliant closerange saves in the space of seconds as Pools came under pressure, while Liam Donnelly also cleared off the line to preserve the lead.
And the third goal came when Thomas found space in the area and lifted the ball over keeper James McKeown, who was standing in his six-yard area.
Thomas now has six goals in six games and Hignett added: “Defensively we were efficient, we did a job. At two-nil the next goal is important. It was backs to the wall.
“And then the keeper, who had made saves you would expect, then did it twice in a minute which was incredible.
“Everyone has played their part, blocks, tackles, headers. We were really solid. They were excellent, could have scored more and the game plan worked to a tee.
“We soaked up pressure, kept a good shape and hurt them on the break with Lewis and Nath and Podge’s movement.”
Grimsby boss Paul Hurst said: “I’m obviously disappointed to lose at home, but I don’t think it was a three-nil game. Saying that, we played against a really good side.
“At three, it becomes hard to keep that motivation and willingness to do everything correctly and they look to hit you on the break for a fourth. But an honest assessment is we played better than we have of late.”