RHYS STARTS UP A POOLS PARTY!
HARTLEPOOL United jumped over Sutton and back into second spot in the table, thanks to a victory built on a high work ethic.
Pools lost disappointingly at Weymouth last week, but Rhys Oates’ header means it’s five wins from six for Dave Challinor’s side.
After a good draw at Torquay in midweek, the visitors headed home disappointed not to take something from a tight game.
Boss Matt Gray admitted: “It’s a tough one to take. It didn’t seem to fall for us today and we were slightly the better side first-half.
“We had a great chance to go one-up and they counter attacked us and scored from a corner.
“We have been doing well, been on a good run of form and we deserved something from this.’’
Challinor beamed: “It was important to bounce back from last week. It had the feeling of a play-off game, albeit without fans, against a team going well. It was tight and edgy and both teams can do better, but to come out on top is a good thing for us.
“It puts us second in the table again and, as players, of course you take notice of that. It helps reinforce the message we are getting across to the players. We were disappointed to lose last weekend, we lost that to a setpiece, but won this week with one and to grind out a win like this is massive for us.
“We have a big month ahead, with a lot of games, and this sets us up for it.’’
In an opening half full of effort but little in terms of chances, it was 34 minutes before either goalkeeper was tested.
A firm low shot by Omar Bugiel had home keeper Ben Killip gathering at the second attempt.
Opposite number
Dean
Bouzanis, wearing tights on a raw North East afternoon, had yet to warm his hands.
But Killip was happy to see a screaming drive from Harry Beautyman fly past the post on 44 minutes.
At the start of the second half, the visitor’s wideman David Ajiboye twice turned David Ferguson inside out, the second time failing to make the most of a great opening as his pass was wasteful.
Pools broke away, won a corner and took the lead with their first shot on goal.
An inswinging corner by Nicky Featherstone was headed on by Rhys Oates and his header crept in at the far post.
Oates had a chance to land a second as he broke into the area, but fired weakly at Bouzanis, before Luke Armstrong had a shot diverted wide.
The Us thrust back into the game, and Beautyman looked set to test Killip, but hesitation proved costly as Pools defended.
Pools chased a second, Mark Shelton denied before Jamie Sterry drove wide.
But at the other end, Kenny Davis’ free-kick was played on for Bugiel and he planted a header wide.
STAR MAN: Kenny Davis (Sutton United) ENTERTAINMENT: REFEREE: