Pools’ unbeaten run continues in impressive win
WEALDSTONE 2 HARTLEPOOL 7
HARTLEPOOL United’s unrelenting push for a return to the Football League continued with a dominant display at Wealdstone.
Dave Challinor’s men showed the ruthless side that has taken them to the top of the National League as Rhys Oates, Richie Bennett and all found the net in a fully deserved win.
With confidence flowing after a long unbeaten run, Pools dominated the opening stages and had the first sight of goal when the in-form Gavan Holohan headed narrowly wide inside the first two minutes.
The Irishman was at the heart of everything positive about Pools and he came close to opening the scoring as the opening quarter-hour mark passed.
The attacking midfielder struck a powerful volley that looked destined for the back of the net but was spectacularly saved by Stones keeper George Shelvey.
There were signs of life from the hosts as the midway point of the half arrived as Michael Phillips struck an effort wide of Henrich Ravas’ goal.
Pools resumed their dominance after that chance and took the lead less than two minutes later as Oates continued his own impressive form.
The forward was found in the area by Gary Liddle and wasted little time with a powerful low drive that left Shelvey grasping at thin air.
A second goal almost arrived on the half-hour mark as Pools loan star Bennett found space at the far post but was denied by a smart save from Shelvey.
The hosts hit back by creating their best chance of the game and again it fell to Phillips as his close-range shot was well saved by the alert Ravas.
However, just as they had prior to the hosts’ only other sight of goal, Pools promptly showed their ruthless streak by showing them how to find the back of the night.
Goalscorer Oates turned to creator as his flighted pass found Bennett and he headed beyond Shelvey for his third goal of an impressive loan spell.
Pools pressed home their dominance just 60 seconds later as Bennett’s fourth goal quickly followed with a simple tap-in that took the game out of reach of their struggling hosts.
The dominance continued in the early-stages of the second-half as the influential Oates and Bennett combined once again to help their side extend their lead.
Bennett returned the favour of his first goal with an intelligent lay-off that found Oates and he matched his teammate by doubling his tally for the day with a clinical finish.
Wealdstone reacted surprisingly positively to fall further behind and would have reduced the arrears just before the hour had Pools keeper Ravas not made a stunning save to deny Jacob Mendy.
Once again, just as they had on numerous occasions in the first-half, Pools struck back in grand fashion as Nicky Featherstone added their fifth goal from 12 yards with a coolly taken penalty.
Oates was denied the chance to secure a hat-trick when Challinor opted to bring on new signing Danny Elliott to replace the in-form forward.
But the substitution did not lead to any reduction in the momentum built up by his side as a sixth goal arrived with just under 15 minutes remaining.
It fell to Mark Shelton as the midfielder powered a well-struck volley beyond Shelvey and claimed the goal, despite the ambitious claims that Bennett had got a touch for what would have been a hat-trick.
However, the striker did not have to wait long to claim a treble as he slotted home his side’s second penalty of the day as an impressive display made its way into the final 10 minutes.
Wealdstone pulled two late goals back as Sonny Blu Lo-everton and Ryan Gondoh found the net in the closing stages – but nothing could deny Pools as they gained maximum reward for a stunning display.