Fleetwood Mac's Brace Helps Pools Into 3rd Round

Michael Mackay's double helped Pools squeeze into the FA Cup third round after a tough game at Fleetwood.

Hartlepool managed to defeat non-league outfit Fleetwood Town but it was far from convincing. A make shift Hartlepool side with a few changes due to injuries were made to look un-profesional and could well have been the victims of an FA Cup shock.

Fleetwood can be proud of their efforts. After striker Andy Bell capitalised on some static defending to put the underdogs into the lead, Hartlepool were always in for a tough ride.

Early chances for Joel Porter and Andy Monkhouse were not scored and Fleetwood's long ball tactics began to cause havoc.

But it took Pools just three minutes to equalise in the misty surroundings of the Highbury Stadium as Michael Mackay beat the offside trap before firing into the far corner. A very nice strike for the striker who plied his trade at Fleetwood's level before entering league football with Hartlepool.

A slight hamstring scare kept Ritchie Jones out of the game with the former Manchester United midfielder's place in the centre of midfield taken by the recalled Ritchie Humphreys. This did provide Hartlepool with a decent passing midfielder but it also prooves the thin and number diminished side Hartlepool have.

The rest of the first half was scrappy. It was evident that Fleetwood were content and that Hartlepool would have to attempt to use possesion effectively. This wasn't working for either Joel Porter or Michael Mackay and the two frustrated strikers didn't have much to do.

HT: Fleetwood 1 Hartlepool 1

The home fans were noisy and were looking for their none league heroes to turn Hartlepool over. Sadly, it took Hartlepool 75 seconds to equalise and the dream looked like fading away.

Sweeney's header on the right-hand side found Michael Mackay lingering on the edge of the area and he improvised superbly to wrap his foot around the bouncing ball and launch a half-volley which flew over the keeper into the top corner. A very nice strike and one that calmed the fans of Hartlepool's nerves.

Fleetwood battled and a lack of class maybe halted them from scoring. A bad touch from striker Andy Bell stopped him from netting one on one with Lee Barret and "One To Watch"(Preview-Fleetwood vs Hartlepool) Adam Warlow fired his chance into the packed stands.

A poor back pass by a Fleetwood defender should have been punished but Mackay fizzed his shot wide. Pools did make Fleetwood pay two minutes later with a goal which looked like it would clinch the win.

Humphreys' crossfield ball found Sweeney on the right and he lashed a half-volley across the face of goal for Joel Porter to tap in his 12th goal of the season.

Fleetwood looked downhearted and the buzz in the ground went slightly stale. Fleetwood's active keeper was forced into more work with Andy Monkhouse blasting a shot at his legs.

But in the 66th minute, Fleetwood were handed a lifeline after some more insecure defending from Pools. Bradley Maylett's straightforward hopeful ball over the top set both Adam Warlow and Bell away who had both beaten the offside trap. Warlow managed to dig the ball out from under his own feet, evade the sliding tackle of Clark and fire low past Lee-Barrett.

Hartlepool struggled through the last few minutes and managed to secure a place in the next round.

FT: Fleetwood 2 Hartlepool 3 The defending was pathetic and the performance was far from good. Anthony Sweeney was excellent and Mackay seemed to prove he was too good for Fleetwood's level.

The pitch was bad and it proved with the kind of football on show. It was mainly hit and hope but the main worry for Hartlepool was the increasingly thin squad we have.

The bench we had contained arguably 4 players that don't start or feature. The recalling of Mcunnie was obviously very frantic and the side did look poor because of all the changes.

Last season against Gainsborough we dominated and scored 6 goals without allowing them any time on the ball. This time around, we were abismal in holding onto the ball and it was an all round bad performance.

Oh well, at least we are in the hat for the next round.

MOM: Michael Mackay Pools: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Nelson, Clark, Robson, Sweeney, Liddle, Humphreys, Monkhouse, Porter, Mackay.
Subs not used: Budtz, Tait, Tymon, Rowell, Foley, Power.

Fleetwood Town: Hurst, Walmsley, Hills, Mercer, Robinson, Maylett (Hunt 85), Kay, Milligan, Bell, Warlow, Beattie.
Subs not used: Williams, Leadbetter, Penswick, Beeley, Hale, Foster.

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