Defeats are becomiing Pools habit BROMLEY 4 HARTLEPOOL 0
TWO defeats in 16 games this season has soon developed into five defeats in 19. Pools were humbled at Bromley, suffering a third successive National League loss.
After losing at home to Sutton, Pools have twice been beaten on the road in the space of five days, first at Wrexham and now Bromley.
The play-offs only remain five points away, but they looked 25 on this display as Pools, down to 10 men after the dismissal of Peter Kioso, crumbled.
They shipped two penalties and Kioso’s dismissal means Pools have had a man sent off in two successive games after Andrew Davies saw red at Wrexham last Tuesday night.
Both now face suspension for their next National League game, at home to Barnet on Sunday, November 18.
Myles Anderson – in the side in the absence of Davies – was fortunate not to concede an early penalty, but wasn’t as lucky shortly afterwards.
Frankie Sutherland was on the end of the foul and he converted the penalty.
To their credit – and they didn’t come out of it with a great deal overall – Pools did have plenty of the ball for the rest of the half.
Boss Matthew Bates felt the 4G surface would suit a passing game, and so it proved. Doing something with that possession, however, was a different story.
Pools have been pretty toothless in front of goal this season, not scoring enough goals and it was proved again on this occasion.
And they again paid the price as they spectacularly crumbled.
A soft defensive lapse as Ryan Donaldson was caught in possession, allowed Omar Bugiel in for a second goal and Kioso’s challenge in the area saw him sent off for a second booking, a second penalty awarded and a second conversion for Sutherland.
Pools were well beaten and George Porter scored a late fourth to add insult to injury.
The long haul home up the A1 last night will not have been a happy affair.
Bates said: “We will look at it over the weekend and discuss it on Monday with a clear mind, rather than an emotional one.
“The game collapsed away from us in a short space of time. We went in one down from a poor, poor goal, but we looked like we could create something, but we didn’t do that.
“We conceded really poor goals which all could have been avoided and we look at that.
“We had a lot of possession and spent time in their final third, but we lacked a threat in front of goal and we didn’t create much – we have to work on trying to resolve that.’’
He added: “Losing Peter is a blow and we are without Andrew too – now someone has to step up and prove a point, prove why they haven’t been in the side.
“It’s a testing time, a blip which has gone on too long and we need to get back to winning ways. It’s a long season and we look to bounce back in the FA Cup next weekend.
“We have to look at this, see why it happened and move on.
“I’ve not looked at the league table, I’m thinking about what has gone on at the moment and I’m gutted by it – we will turn this around, a small blip and let’s hope this can be the making of us.’’