Hartlepool United 3 Darlington 1

match programme
Season2005/06
DateTuesday, 23rd August 2005
Competition League Cup
RoundR1
OppositionDarlington
VenueVictoria Park, Hartlepool
Score3-1
Attendance 6163 (756 Darlington fans)
Referee Nigel Miller (Co Durham)

Match Report

Local rivals Darlington came to the Vic for the first time in three years, but left empty handed as Pools registered their first home win of the season. With the home form stuttering in the league, Pools will have welcomed a cup game against lower division opposition as they had made a habit of winning such games since earning promotion in 2003. A traditionally tight derby game against Darlington would probably not have been the ideal choice, though it was certainly one to stir the interests of the supporters. Martin Scott named a strong line-up for the match, with Adam Boyd being handed a chance to force his way into the regular starting eleven and Gavin Strachan earning his first start of the season.

Pools started the game on the front foot and had a lot of possession around the Darlington penalty area. Neill Collins had a good header cleared off the line, while Boyd and Thomas Butler also went close. It was no surprise when the home side eventually found a way through. Darren Williams`s cross was flicked on by Antony Sweeney to Jon DALY and the big Irishman held off a challenge to slide the ball past Bertrand Bossu. The goal finally stung the Quakers into action, with young midfielder Anthony Peacock at the centre of most of their best moves. The Pools defence did well to restrict the visitors to the occasional shot from distance and Dimi Konstantopoulos had a fairly quiet time.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the end of the first period. Darlington still were having the better of the possession, Peacock was still looking their best player, and the Pools defence was still keeping them out with relative ease. Martin Scott replaced the disappointing Boyd with Michael Proctor and the substitute`s contribution was decisive. Bossu hesitated on a clearance and his kick was charged down by PROCTOR who gleefully walked the ball into the empty net. The Quakers then got the goal that their efforts had deserved. Carlos LOGAN cut in from the right and hit a low drive into the bottom right hand corner of the Pools goal.

A 2-1 result would probably have been a fair reflection of the game but Pools, and Proctor, still had one more goal to come. Daly got on the end of a good cross and his header hit the bar. As the ball fell to the ground, PROCTOR was first to react and he bundled the ball home from no more than a yard to complete a satisfactory night`s work and send the Pools supporters home with the local bragging rights.

Lineups

Loan Players

Milestones

Key Moments

Time Event Score
26 mins goal GOAL - Jon Daly scores for Pools 1-0
76 mins goal GOAL - Michael Proctor scores for Pools 2-0
81 mins goal GOAL - Carlos Logan scores for Darlington 2-1
88 mins goal GOAL - Michael Proctor scores for Pools 3-1