LUKE WHO’S IN BUSINESS AGAIN FOR COOL POOLS
LUKE MOLYNEUX ended six months of injury frustration as he led Hartlepooll United to victory.
The Pools frontman suffered a pre-season ankle injury and surgery meant he had to wait until yesterday for his first start of the campaign.
It took him only six minutes to get off the mark and then 14 minutes later he created the second in the most routine of victories over a desperately poor Aldershot team.
Pools are back to within three points of the playoffs after this with the lumbering Shots just three above the drop zone.
Dave Challinor, the Pools boss, said: “The result was perfect at a time when games are running out. Over a season we’ve probably played better and lost. Another win, clean sheet, two goals, could have had a lot more and hopefully save the five we passed up for another day.
“Luke coming back and scoring is a big thing. Hopefully when you come back from a long-term injury you tick things off – first appearance, goal, assist, 90 minutes. And he’s ticked a few off in one game which is great and should give him confidence.’’
Molyneux needed only six minutes to break the deadlock. Some good link-up play down the left side saw loanee Rob Harker cut the ball back to knock in from close range for a dream return to the starting XI.
And on 20 minutes, the midfielder created the second. His corner landed in the six-yard area and Mark Shelton stooped to head in from an unmarked position.
The Shots lost Mo Bettamer as half-time approached, the striker going down under no pressure and it was over five minutes before he was stretchered off, facing a lengthy spell out.
The goals more or less finished the game off.
The Shots had their first shot on 61 minutes, as substitute Lewis Walker sent a long range shot sailing wide of the post from an angle.
Some appalling Shots’ defending, Kodi Lyons-Foster unable to clear, brought another Pools chance as they looked to liven the game up and then Gime Toure broke away down the left and rolled his shot across goal.
The Shots looked like getting one back on 77 minutes but right-back Macauley Southam-Hailes somehow headed Dean Rance’s effort over the bar.
Shots’ boss Danny Searle said: “It’s not just the result but the performance as well. In every single area they were better than us. My players turn up and perform like that after the good week we’ve had, I can only apologise to the fans.
“It’s back to the drawing board on Monday because we felt we were turning the corner, but a performance like that isn’t good enough. Not one of them can be pleased with that.’’