Pools’ season on cliff edge after defeat DOVER ATH 2 HARTLEPOOL 1
HARTLEPOOL UNITED’S season is in danger of unravelling. Matthew Bates’ side suffered a fifth successive National League defeat, going down at Dover.
That means it’s eight games without a win for Pools, their last victory coming on October 6 against Boreham Wood.
Andrew Davies scored twice that day, and he was missing yesterday. The captain is out for a month after being forced off half an hour into the midweek FA Cup loss to Gillingham with a calf injury.
Davies has already missed a chunk of the season with an ankle ligament injury, while also sitting out three games through suspension.
Pools miss the centre-half badly when he’s not around and so it proved yesterday.
They were also without Liam Noble yesterday. The midfielder travelled with the squad but was omitted by Bates. Noble was visibly unhappy before the game with the decision.
Bates commented: “I pick a squad and starting 11 based on what I see in training and it was my decision to not include him in that.”
The journey home will not have been a happy one.
With no Davies and Noble, Pools’ two main summer signings, the captain’s armband was passed to another closeseason recruit, Paddy McLaughlin.
He took a place in a threeman midfield as Pools changed to a 3-5-2 set-up.
It was an uneasy defensive opening for Pools as they lacked authority in the back three.
They failed to clear on 19 minutes and Gomis smashed in the opener. The division’s bottom-placed side were ahead.
Pools were better second half, if fortunate not to go in at the break two goals down. But the second goal arrived as
Joshua Debayo’s deep-lying run went unchecked and a loose ball fell for Inihg Effiong to net.
Substitute Josh Hawkes got one back for Pools, firing in confidently and while they pressed for a leveller – even goalkeeper Scott Loach headed a corner wide as he went up for a last-gasp set-piece – it didn’t arrive.
The manager added: “It’s disappointing. A game of two different performances for us – first half poor, second half better. We left it too late and we have to start games how we did second half.
“We started slowly and they are a physical side and we didn’t match that.
“They were first to first balls and second balls and scored two goals which we have to do better at.
“We couldn’t score at the other end, despite having a few good chances. The best team won on the night I think.
“Everyone is hugely disappointed as a group, but we saw second half the fight and spirit to put it right.
“We are at a crossroads right now and we have a game Tuesday so we have to bounce back quickly.’’
He added: “It’s testing as a manager, but you have to come through it if you want to be in the game a long time and I intend to keep going.
“It’s a long way back, it’s important to rest and get ready for Tuesday.
“We have a tough spell with travelling and fixtures and extra time last week. It’s relentless.
“The players can step up, lacking confidence and we try and get that confidence back.’’