James B - goal

By Charlie Summerbell
April 18 2010

Seven points clear of the bottom four after hitting their best run of the results of the season, Hartlepool United daren’t fall into the trap of thinking they are safe – with the threat of a points deduction hanging over them, while 51 points might spell safety for some teams, it might not be enough for Pools.

Their 3-1 win over play-off hopefuls Colchester at the Vic did them the world of good, and the result was made all the more vital by some other results on the day – Oldham’s win at Carlisle, Gillingham’s win over Leeds, Orient beating Stockport and Wycombe winning at MK Dons.
Next weekend’s visit to Walsall is important, but perhaps THE big game of the three Pools have left is at home to Exeter a week later – a victory then would all but kill off any lingering relegation worries, even allowing for points being deducted.
Chris Turner, the target of some unhappy fans lately, declared himself delighted with the day – the result, the performance and the reaction of the crowd.

Perhaps the biggest boost for Pools came before the kick-off when Sam Collins was passed fit to partner Gary Liddle, and the pair were as strong as ever in the middle of the defence once they recovered from conceding an early goal, Ian Henderson tapping in.
But James Brown appears to be back to his best, and he headed in Leon McSweeney’s cross to level, Roy O’Donovan making it 2-1 from Andy Monkhouse’s pass on 20 minutes.

O’Donovan scored his second from the spot late on, taking his tally to eight since signing on loan from Sunderland.

It was a good all-round win for Pools, the sort of performance – and result – that fans have been calling for all season.
On form like this, Pools would never have been in trouble and the supporters wouldn’t have had a lot to complain about.

The big problem as usual with pools has been inconsistency, but if Tuner can pout that right – and sign O’Donovan permanently for next season - Pools shouldn’t have as many worries in 2010-11 as they have had in 2009-10.
Meanwhile, if they can reproduce this form, getting that vital win over Exeter should not be a major problem. In fact, getting results at Walsall and Brentford in the final two away games shouldn’t be beyond them either.