Elsewhere - 24th February
Monday, 24th Feb 2003 00:00

Elsewhere On The WWW - 24th February

Home >Story Index> Elsewhere on the WWW - 23rd February

Hartlepool United 4, Swansea City 0 Feb 24 2003

By The Journal

Earlier this month, in an effort to play down Hartlepool's domination of the Third Division, manager Mike Newell said no team had ever won promotion in February.

But there is a chance they could do it in March.

Pool are 14 points clear at the top and 20 ahead of fourth place - it could soon be all over for them bar the shouting.

Newell is refusing to get excited, but he must still be pinching himself to believe he's not dreaming after inheriting a team so much better than the rest.

Pool are unbeaten in their 10 games this year and haven't even looked like losing any of them.

Newell may not have built this team, but he deserves huge credit for the seamless way he took over after Chris Tuner's departure.

Pool might not have been winning as clearly as in Saturday's walkover, but they've done everything necessary to gradually increase their lead at the top and Newell's first season as a manager looks likely to end in triumph.

But he still says: "We are taking it one game at a time. Things are looking good, but nothing can be taken for granted."

He wasn't totally pleased with this win and said: "I was a bit concerned at half-time that we were only two up. The chances were there to make it double that, at least.

"And in the second half we had a spell when we weren't at our best. But we sorted it out and overall it was another good performance and an important win."

Strikers Adam Boyd and Eifion Williams might not have got on the scoresheet, but their pace and skill frightened the Swansea defence to death. They created the space for midfielder Richie Humphreys to take the honours with a hat-trick.

He ended last season in tears as Pool's play-off campaign ended in failure but there's no chance of that happening again now.

He said: "It was the worst moment of my career but now I'm looking forward to the best."

His first was a solo effort on 10 minutes, a great run from halfway and a low shot from the edge of the area which went in via the post.

City had striker Marc Richards sent off for a Lennox Lewis-type challenge on Mickey Barron on 36 minutes, and three minutes later Boyd and Williams set up Humphreys for a close-range second.

His hat-trick came with a powerful far-post header on 68 minutes after a Barron cross from the right. Swansea then lost keeper Roger Freestone with a back injury.

With no keeper on the bench defender Alan Tate went in goal but though Tommy Widdrington completed the scoring with his first of the season after the City defence had been torn apart on 72 minutes, Pool had to settle for four.

Newell won manager of the month in January and should win it again this month. But March starts with one of Pool's stiffest tests - Saturday's derby visit to a Darlington side desperate for revenge after being beaten 4-1 earlier in the season.

Teamtalk

Freestone the brave

Swansea have defended boss Brian Flynn's decision to keep goalkeeper Roger Freestone on the pitch despite him suffering from a back injury. Veteran keeper Freestone suffered a back injury at the start of the game but remained on the field until 20 minutes from time, at which point defender Alan Tate was drafted into goal as they had no substitute stopper. A Vetch Field spokesman said: "Alan Tate played in goal at schoolboy level for Manchester United's Under-13 and Under-15 sides, so he is no stranger to the role. "Brian has only once before in his 13-year managerial career had to replace a goalkeeper in a game and, anyway, the game was lost by the time we brought Alan on. "We're on a tight budget and can't afford to bring in players when they'll just sit on the bench."

Annanova

Swans defend decision to play Freestone

Swansea have defended Brian Flynn's decision to play injured Roger Freestone for 70 minutes at Hartlepool.

The keeper suffered a back injury at the start of the game. Defender Alan Tate replaced him, when the Swans were 3-0 down, as they had no substitute stopper.

A Vetch Field spokesman said: "Alan Tate played in goal at schoolboy level for Manchester United's Under-13 and Under-15 sides, so he is no stranger to the role.''

He added: "Brian has only once before, in his 13-year managerial career, had to replace a goalkeeper in a game and, anyway, the game was lost by the time we brought Alan on.

"We're on a tight budget and can't afford to bring in players when they'll just sit on the bench."

Most of the South Wales Evening Post, Western Mail and Wales on Sunday articles are reproduced on Dai Smith's site or the Message Board here on JackArmy.net.

You can comment on this article by visiting the Message Board or you can contact the author directly by clicking here