The S24 Preview: Hartlepool United v Southend United

05 March 2010 13:16
All you need to know to start getting in the mood for a good old relegation sixpointer at Victoria Park on Saturday March 6th, kick-off 15.00. v SHRIMPERS Jean-Francois Christophe starts the first of his four match suspension while Tilly has decided it's too early for Anthony Grant to start, another hour in the reserves on Tuesday for him.That should see the Moose start in the middle, while I go for Scott Malone to grab the left midfield position vacated by Sanchez Watt who has returned to the Arsenal.This is going to be a nervy, cagey affair and if the wind whips up the Blues, I presume in yellow, will do well to get something from the game. Hartlepool are no mugs at home, and you know O'Donovan will show glimpses of what he never did at Roots Hall, where he didn't seem to any pace along with a useless first touch. At least a brace then!However, the signs are there that the defence of Francis, Baldwin, M'Voto and Barrett is shaping into something decent, while Scannell's runs are getting more dangerous, and Vernon and the boy Paterson have a good thing going on.The last time I was at the Victoria Park ground was a 2-2 draw in 1971! (Blimey, I'll be in one of DoDtS's back in times soon!) Nearly 40 years later I'll take that scoreline again, yet if March really is going to bring the 10-12 points we probably need, the lads have to go for the win.COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!! Possible Southend United: Mildenhall, Francis, Baldwin, M'Voto, Barrett, Scannell, McCormack, Moussa, Scannell, Paterson, Malone. Subs: Jack, Sankofa, Herd, Laurent, Spencer, maybe Crawford and another kid, but the youths have a game at home to Wycombe at 11am in Southend!OPPOSITION Winger Andy Monkhouse will return for the Monkey Hangers after completing a two-match suspension for receiving 10 yellow cards.Pools boss Chris Turner will decide if striker James Brown should return after scoring for the reserves in midweek.Fellow forward Roy O'Donovan, on loan from Premiership Sunderland, could well face the Shrimpers, having played three times for the Essex side earlier this season, scoring once. Just to show what's gone wrong for both clubs in the last three months.......December 13th after Southend 3 Hartlepool 2 comeback win at Roots Hall12Hartlepool United 2142411103351718759282826013Southend United 2153314132261115759252826-3March 5th16Brighton & Hove Albion 3333101424674262791014405137-1117Hartlepool United 336562123331020289816415135-1018Gillingham 348632290413113781016334634-1319Tranmere Rovers 32727192224109299617285133-2320Southend United 335652021321216288817364932-1321Oldham Athletic 31456121643912228815243832-1422Exeter City 3357421162312133371016344931-15Last Time At Home - Hartlepool United 4 Carlisle United 1 (Tuesday, February 23rd.)A Ritchie Jones brace helped end Hartlepool United's seven-game winless run as they notched their biggest win for 17 months.New boy Roy O'Donovan replaced Denis Behan in the starting line-up with Colin Larkin also included as he replaced the suspended Andy Monkhouse.Former Pools winger Matty Robson started for Carlisle who made three changes from the side which lost 2-0 at Swindon Town on Saturday.Kevan Hurst replaced on-loan Stoke winger Ben Marshall while ex-Pools loanee Darryl Duffy came in for Graham Kavanagh as Carlisle reverted to a 4-4-2.Scot Dobie recovered from a foot injury to replace Joe Anyinsah up front.Pools got off to a dream start in the sixth minute as Ritchie Jones grabbed his third of the season with a goal completely of his own making.Jones powerfully strode down the right flank before checking inside sluggish left-back Peter Murphy and chipping a left-footed shot towards goal which drifted over keeper Adam Collin and into the far top corner.Carlisle twice went close to grabbing an immediate equaliser.First, Matty Robson flighted in a delicate cross from the left-hand side of the area which Scott Dobie nodded wide via a deflection.Then Kevan Hurst's right-wing corner evaded everyone before finding right-back Richard Keogh 12 yards out whose low half-volley found the bottom corner.But Carlisle weren't to be denied as they benefited from some nervy defending by Pools.The defence failed to clear their lines from Hurst's run down the left-hand channel. The ball came out to Robson on the edge of the area, to the left of goal whose well-flighted cross was comfortably headed down into the net by Dobie.Darryl Duffy almost profited from more nervy Pools defending in the 23rd minute after Gary Liddle allowed the ball to roll. It gave Duffy the chance to volley from the right of goal but his effort across goal lacked power and it stuck in the mud in front of the far post. But it was Pools who regained the lead in the 28th minute when Joe Gamble floated in a right-wing corner and Tony Sweeney directed a header inside the near post for his second in three games.Carlisle keeper Collin was not looking comfortable in the swirling wind and he made a mess of a routine save from Adam Boyd's 31st minute soft header which he parried behind needlessly. From the resulting corner, Sweeney headed across goal as he stretched for it at the back post.Only the woodwork prevented Jones getting a second in the 35th minute after Peter Hartley's floated ball over the top completely deceived the Carlisle defence. Jones had only Collin to beat but directed his off-balance volley against the top of the crossbar.Boyd should have scored two minutes later after Gamble's left-wing corner only reached Sam Collins at the near post. The defender turned and whipped in a powerful cross which Boyd headed over from eight yards with no time to think about his effort. Four minutes before half-time, Pools made it 3-1 as they benefited from the impact of the wind.Gamble's left wing corner caught in the wind and curled between Collin and the near post with the keeper palming it out after it had already gone over the line.Colin Larkin stung the palms of Collin in the 58th minute after he took on and beat Hurst down the left before darting inside on the angle and hitting a powerful shot straight at the Carlisle keeper. Scott Flinders produced a superb save in the 64th minute after Ian Harte struck a sweet free-kick from 25 yards which swerved in the wind but was beaten away double-handed by the Pools keeper.Substitute James Brown eventually got a shot in the in the 73rd minute after receiving the ball down the inside left channel, performing five step-overs in the penalty area and then rifling a left-foot shot wide of the near post.Pools made it 4-1 a minute later after Roy O'Donovan hooked the ball over the top of Carlisle's high defensive line for Jones who had beaten the offside trap down the right flank. Jones sprinted away beyond the sluggish Harte and kept his cool before planting the ball beyond Collin into the far corner for his second. Flinders made another smart stop in injury time when he tipped over Adam Clayton's right-footed piledriver from the edge of the area.Hartlepool United: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Liddle, Hartley, Jones, Sweeney, Gamble, Larkin (Humphreys 71), O'Donovan (McSweeney 82), Boyd (Brown 60). Subs not used: Cook, Behan, Fredriksen, Bjornsson. Booked: O'Donovan (80)Carlisle United: Collin, Livesey, Murphy (Horwood 57), Dobie, Robson, Thirlwell (Taiwo 57), Harte, Keogh, Hurst (Marshall 65), Clayton, Duffy. Subs not used: Gillespie, Bridge-Wilkinson, Kavanagh, Kane. Booked: Hurst (26), Livesey (86)Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne and Wear)Attendance: 2,975 (354 away)(Report by Chris Young on www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk) PREVIOUSLYAt Hartlepool U. (21)At Southend Utd. (22)ResultsTotal%ResultsTotal%Hartlepool U.1047.62Southend Utd.1463.64Southend Utd.838.10Hartlepool U.29.09Draws314.29Draws627.27GoalsTotalAv.pgGoalsTotalAv.pgHartlepool U.351.67Southend Utd.401.82Southend Utd.301.43Hartlepool U.190.86On Neutral Ground (0)Overall (43 matches)ResultsTotal%ResultsTotal%Hartlepool U.00.00Hartlepool U.1227.91Southend Utd.00.00Southend Utd.2251.16Draws00.00Draws920.93GoalsTotalAv.pgGoalsTotalAv.pgHartlepool U.00.00Hartlepool U.541.26Southend Utd.00.00Southend Utd.701.63RecordsHighest Aggregate7Hartlepool U. 4 - 3Southend Utd.2007/2008 Highest Hartlepool U. score:5Hartlepool U. 5 - 1Southend Utd.2001/2002 Highest Southend Utd. score:4Hartlepool U. 2 - 4Southend Utd.1998/1999 SeasonDateHomeScoreAwayCompetition 2009/2010Sat 12 DecSouthend Utd.3 - 2Hartlepool U.League One 2008/2009Fri 27 MarSouthend Utd.3 - 2Hartlepool U.League One Fri 19 DecHartlepool U.3 - 0Southend Utd.League One 2007/2008Sat 09 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 1Hartlepool U.League One Tue 22 JanHartlepool U.4 - 3Southend Utd.League One 2005/2006Sat 25 MarSouthend Utd.3 - 0Hartlepool U.League One Wed 28 DecHartlepool U.1 - 2Southend Utd.League One 2002/2003Sat 15 MarHartlepool U.2 - 1Southend Utd.League Division Three Tue 26 NovHartlepool U.1 - 2Southend Utd.F.A. Cup Sat 16 NovSouthend Utd.1 - 1Hartlepool U.F.A. Cup Fri 25 OctSouthend Utd.0 - 1Hartlepool U.League Division Three 2001/2002Sat 23 FebHartlepool U.5 - 1Southend Utd.League Division Three Sat 15 SepSouthend Utd.0 - 0Hartlepool U.League Division Three 2000/2001Sat 07 AprSouthend Utd.2 - 1Hartlepool U.League Division Three Sat 02 DecHartlepool U.1 - 0Southend Utd.League Division Three 1999/2000Sat 12 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 1Hartlepool U.League Division Three Sat 04 SepHartlepool U.1 - 2Southend Utd.League Division Three 1998/1999Sat 08 MaySouthend Utd.1 - 1Hartlepool U.League Division Three Sat 19 DecHartlepool U.2 - 4Southend Utd.League Division Three 1989/1990Tue 13 FebHartlepool U.1 - 1Southend Utd.Fourth Division Fri 01 SepSouthend Utd.3 - 0Hartlepool U.Fourth Division 1986/1987Tue 14 AprHartlepool U.1 - 0Southend Utd.Fourth Division Fri 29 AugSouthend Utd.1 - 1Hartlepool U.Fourth Division 1985/1986Sat 12 AprHartlepool U.3 - 2Southend Utd.Fourth Division Sat 09 NovSouthend Utd.3 - 2Hartlepool U.Fourth Division 1984/1985Mon 04 MarSouthend Utd.1 - 1Hartlepool U.Fourth Division Wed 24 OctHartlepool U.2 - 1Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1980/1981Sat 21 FebHartlepool U.1 - 3Southend Utd.Fourth Division Fri 26 SepSouthend Utd.4 - 0Hartlepool U.Fourth Division 1977/1978Sat 11 MarHartlepool U.1 - 0Southend Utd.Fourth Division Fri 14 OctSouthend Utd.1 - 1Hartlepool U.Fourth Division 1976/1977Fri 25 FebSouthend Utd.1 - 0HartlepoolFourth Division Sat 18 SepHartlepool1 - 1Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1971/1972Fri 07 JanSouthend Utd.3 - 1HartlepoolFourth Division Sat 28 AugHartlepool2 - 2Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1970/1971Wed 10 MarSouthend Utd.2 - 0HartlepoolFourth Division Mon 21 SepHartlepool0 - 1Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1969/1970Sat 13 DecHartlepool2 - 1Southend Utd.Fourth Division Sat 13 SepSouthend Utd.0 - 2HartlepoolFourth Division 1967/1968Sat 20 JanSouthend Utd.2 - 1HartlepoolsFourth Division Sat 16 SepHartlepools0 - 1Southend Utd.Fourth Division 1966/1967Fri 06 JanHartlepools1 - 2Southend Utd.Fourth Division Fri 02 SepSouthend Utd.2 - 0HartlepoolsFourth Division GROUNDThe ground was greatly improved in the mid 1990's, with the construction of two new stands at one end and one side of the ground. The Cyril Knowles Stand is the newer of the two side stands. It is a small single tier covered all seated stand, raised above the ground level. The other side, the Millhouse Stand, has covered seating to the rear and open terrace to the front. This stand does not run the full length of the pitch and has an odd mix of orange and green seating, that clashes with the club colours. Both ends are small covered affairs. The newer end is the small Town End, a covered terrace, for home fans. The other end, the Rink End stand, is a small covered all seated stand which houses away supporters. The wind whipping the North Sea goes right through you, so wrap up well unless there is a heat wave. (There isn't!) Away fans are in the Rink End Stand at one end of the ground, where up to 967 can be seated. Unfortunately there are a few supporting pillars in this stand, which may hinder your view, especially if there is a large away following. However acoustics are good even for small numbers. Look out for the biggest meat & potato pies you have ever seen being served within the ground, they are huge!(Ground information supplied by www.footballgroundguide.com)WEATHERCloudy, some light rain, 6c's. Blimey, it's practically spring!REFThe man in the middle is Jock Waugh from Sheffield. He gives an interview here: www.refworld.com/referee/2357/1/jock-waugh FIXTURESSaturday, March 6th; (all kick-offs 15.00): Charlton v Stockport, Exeter v Oldham, Gillingham v Huddersfield, Hartlepool v Southend, Leeds United v Brentford, MK Dons v Leyton Orient, Norwich v Yeovil, Swindon v Bristol Rovers, Tranmere v Southampton, Walsall v Millwall, Wycombe v Carlisle. Monday, March 8th: Colchester v Brighton, 19:45. Tuesday, March 9th; (all kick-offs 19.45): Carlisle v Millwall, MK Dons v Swindon, Oldham v Leyton Orient, Tranmere v Leeds United.BETTo Win:Hartlepool - Evens, Draw - 5/2, Southend - 29/10. For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english TRANSPORTBy Train go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw5/hartlepool_450276/index.shtmlBy Car go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw7/hartlepool_united_450468/index.shtml By Coach go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw3/bristol_rovers_450424/index.shtml PUB AND PIESFor the best drinking hostelries around, and there's not a lot, go here:www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edw8/stand_up_for_the_causeway_pub_crawl_in_hartlepool_502390/index.shtml HISTORYIn 1905, the amateur team West Hartlepool won the FA Amateur Cup which at the time was considered second only to the FA Cup. Partly as a result of this the opportunity for a professional team arose in 1908, when West Hartlepool Rugby Club went bust leaving their stadium 'The Victoria Ground' vacant. The stadium was bought and the current club was founded under the name 'Hartlepools United Football Athletic Company', representing both the town of West Hartlepool and the original settlement of Old Hartlepool. In 1920, the Football League decided to form a third division. However this was based almost entirely in the south, as the new division was created by absorbing virtually the entire top division of the Southern League, with Grimsby Town the only northern representative. This was rectified the following season when a Third Division North was created with Hartlepools being one of the founder members.If you still don't know why Hartlepool are referred to as the 'Monkey Hangers', then it's because the residents of Hartlepool are famously said to have hanged a monkey that was washed up from a ship that had sunk during the Napoleonic wars, because they thought the monkey was a French spy! The Club take this to good heart and of course who else would they have as their club mascot? H'Angus the monkey of course!The most famous person to be associated with Hartlepool United is Brian Clough, who went on to achieve managerial glory with Derby County and to an even greater degree Nottingham Forest. He began his managerial career at Hartlepool in October 1965 before moving on to Derby two seasons later. Another famous ex-manager is Cyril Knowles, who took over as manager in December 1989 and the following season helped them win promotion to the Third Division.In 2002, the team's mascot 'H'Angus the Monkey', aka Stuart Drummond, was elected mayor of Hartlepool as an independent, under the slogan "free bananas for schoolchildren". Even though his candidacy was just a publicity stunt, Drummond has since been re-elected after throwing off his comedy image and identifying himself increasingly with the Labour group on the council.Danny Wilson was appointed manager on June 13, 2006, after relegating MK Dons who had dismissed him! Hartlepool had bounced back to League One in 2006/07 after the previous season's relegation, finishing second behind champions Walsall. This was the club's second promotion in four years. Sadly that manager was sacked for smacking one of his own players, somehow you just can't see Tilly doing that!On Jan. 1 2007 Hartlepool United equalled the all-time Football League record of consecutive wins without conceding a goal by beating Mansfield Town 1-0. Sadly, it was promptly beaten by Stockport who got a 9th! The club went on to complete a 23 match unbeaten run which finally ended against the team they last lost to - Barnet.The Monkey Hangers bounced back to League One at the first time of asking, finishing second behind champions Walsall. This was the club's second promotion in four years and they maintained their League One status for a second successive season by finishing 15th in 2007-08.Hartlepool fans were shocked at the sudden departure of boss Danny Wilson on Monday December 15. A club statement said he had left the services of the club and thanked the 48 year-old Wilson for his hard work. He ended up at Swindon soon after!Director of Sport Chris Turner was placed in temporary charge of the first team, now made permanent. His first solo managerial position came at Hartlepool in 1999. Turner took over when Hartlepool were bottom of the Football League, saved them from relegation and turned them into promotion contenders. They gained promotion at the end of the 2002-03 season but Turner had moved back to his old club Sheffield Wednesday six months before the success was achieved under his successor Mike Newell.Former Blues reserve coach Colin West, he of the 5-1 defeat in his only game in charge fame, joined Turner as his No.2 in February after only being at Southend for a couple of months!For a more comprehensive history of the club, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Hartlepool_United_F.C.

Source: FOOTYMAD