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January
Pool
3 Rochdale 2. Jan 3rd and another bumper crowd (4498) came to see Pool
continue there now superb home record. Tommy Miller gave Pool the lead
from the penalty spot, although Chris Westwood turned into his own net
soon after. A quick second half double from Gary Jones and then Ian Clark
seemed to have gave Pool the advantage. However a goal from Tony Ellis
meant for a nervous end to the game. Pool held on and many people will
look back on this match as the best game of the season. Both teams played
attacking football and chances were plenty. A great advertisement for
live third division football. A shame somebody had to lose the game.
Swansea City 2 Pool 1. Pool travelled to the Vetch Field knowing
any sort of positive result would have been a good days work. Pool took
the lead as Kevin Henderson placed a shot from the edge of the 18 yard
box. However in the second half goals from Steve Watkin and Jason Smith
finally saw Pool off. In the dying seconds of the game Pools Gary Jones
smashed the ball over from seven yards out when it looked like Pool could
have grabbed a well deserved point.
Preston North End 1 Pool 2. After seeing off Halifax in the first
round of the AWS, Pool travelled to Preston and for the second year in
a row knocked the high flying Second division team out of the competition.
. Preston took the lead in the 65th minute when Icelandic striker Bjaki
Gunnlaugsson took his chance in the PNE first team and put his team 1-0
up. However Pool struck back with a late double to win the game. Craig
Midgley got Pools equaliser on 83 minutes, and then top scorer Tommy Miller
notched his 12th of the season with the aid of a deflection in the 86th
minute. Andy Dibble performed superbly in goal pulling off several excellent
saves. Pool were drawn against Carlisle in the next round.
Halifax Town 1 Pool 1. Pool took a first half lead when Gary Jones
robbed a Town defender and curled the ball past the home keeper. Pool
looked comfortable with the lead until Frazor Stretton sent Ian Clark
off early in the second half for a second booking. Halifax throw all they
could at Pool but there seemed to be no way to break down the resolute
Pool defence. That was until until the 86th minute when Mr Stretton decided
Gary Strodder blew to hard on Lee Potter and awarded a penalty. Contact
looked minimal if any and the dive was awarded an impressive 5.9 by the
Czech judge. Ex Poolie Jon Cullen stepped up and sent Martin Hollund the
wrong way from the spot kick. After the game Chris Turner said "There
wasn't really a bad tackle in the game. Until referees start showing common
sense there will always be some controversy and we will be talking about
bad refereeing decisions".
Pool 1 Carlisle United 0. A second half goal from Tommy Miller
was enough to see of Carlisle and complete a double over the Cumbrians
this season. Kevin Henderson suffered an injury which looked nasty and
Darren Knowles was also replaced suffering from a knock. This game was
far from nice to watch, a strong biting wind made sure of that. But another
three points kept Pool ticking over nicely in 5th position.
Chris Turner this week secured the services of Sam Shilton until the end
of the season 2000/01 after an initial four mouth trial period at the
club. Current Pool top scorer Tommy Miller signed an extension to his
contract which will keep him tied to the club until the end of the 2001/02
season. And to complete an impressive hat-trick of signings on the dotted
line Mr Lee '25 yards screamer against Darlo' Fitzpatrick returned to
the club. Rumour had it that Fitzpatrick wanted to return to Pool virtually
since the day he left. Chris Turner granted his wish and offered him a
full time contract back at Pool. All these in's resulted in one out. Gus
Di Lella left for pastures hot and sunny, signing for Spanish third division
side CD Mostoles. Cheltenham Town 2 Pool 1. In the 33rd minute
though Cheltenham took the lead. Jamie Victory crossed the ball over for
Hugh McAuley to put the home side 1-0 up. As the first half drew to a
close Cheltenham doubled their lead. Mike Duff crossed for the experienced
Neil Grayson to nip in between both Micky Barron and Graeme Lee and give
Pool goalie Martin Hollund no chance with the resulting header. In the
86th minute Pool were given a lifeline. Sam Shilton crossed from the left
and Graeme Lee put a looping header over Book in the home goal. In injury
time Lee Fitzpatrick crossed and only a touch was needed for a Pool second,
but neither Freestone or Midgley could get to the ball.
The story
continues.............February.
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