PRESSURE’S PILING ON POOLS BOSS
LIFE in Non-League is proving far tougher than expected for Hartlepool United.
Relegated from League Two last season, Pools have yet to win a game this campaign as AFC Fylde secured their first victory with some ease.
Pools have taken two points from a possible 12, as the pressure already piles on boss Craig Harrison. The Victoria Park crowd turned on the manager and his players as they failed to manage a single shot on target.
Harrison said: “I’m bitterly, bitterly disappointed with everything from everybody.
“What we say in the dressing room stays in there, but I won’t hesitate to say everyone – me, staff, players – have to be better. No excuses, no hiding. We all have to be better.
“Again we conceded a goal in the first-half when there’s nothing in the game. We should dig in, stick at it and we get one later on.
“Instead, we conceded again, it’s deja-vu. It’s bitterly disappointing for the players. They strive to do better, had a good week in training and then in no way, shape or form played today.’’
Fylde went close when a deep corner picked out Jordan Tunnicliffe and his header was cleared off the line by Ryan Donaldson. But they weren’t to be denied next time. Danny Rowe crossed and picked out Henry Jones, who was left unmarked to volley in. On 51 minutes, Rowe’s freekick curled around the wall but Scott Loach saved well. At the other end, Pools had yet to muster an effort. They changed formation again, they changed players with a double second-half substitution, but it mattered little. Fylde keeper Rhys Taylor was a spectator. He was well protected by an organised unit as Pools struggled to break through. And Rowe – so prolific last season – had an easy tap-in when a free-kick was played in and he was able to net from six yards. Fylde boss Dave Challinor said: “A first win means everything and it’s been a long time coming, but we deserved it. To get the monkey off our back and get going is very pleasing. “We have been close in games so far, but we got in front and handled the pressure well.’’