Difficult game today as expected.
A very experienced Hartlepool side against a strange looking 23s side.
Long, Trialist, Graham, Semple ( C ), Kelly, Reed, Whiteman, Trialist, Brookes, Wright jnr, Trialist.
Conceded two goals in the first 10 minutes. Both counter attacks. Hartlepools midfield battered Reed, Whiteman, Trialist and Brookes for 15 minutes which was disappointing as three of the four are knocking on the first teams door.
After a shocking start the team started to get a hold of the game. Graham and Semple at centre backs settled down and played very well against a really lively forward line. Whiteman was poor today and came off in the second half. Reed played very well. Second half especially he was excellent. Spraying the ball around and really for me the best player on the pitch.
Brookes started to run with the ball after the poor start as did Wright jnr. K Smith came on at half time and bagged a well deserved hatrick. I also liked Gordons cameo for the last 20 minutes. He looks like a lad desperate to show he is good enough to be here.
Now my little moan. Standard of trialists.
We had a right back trialist from Micklover FC. He did ok but was at fault for the first goal and struggled defending. Was decent going forward.. My moan is that he is no match for Tom Charlesworth of our u18s. Seems strange to trial a player who is no better than we have. 6/10
Second trialist was on the left wing from Middlesborough. He again did no more than okay. First touch not the best, missed a couple of clear chances and just didnt have the work rate required. 5/10
Finally, a centre forward from Crystal Palace. I am not sure why he is on trial as he was the poorest player i have seen at this level for many a year. Lack of effort, skill, movement, touch and was pulled off at half time. He was awful. Truly awful. 2/10 and thats just for turning up.
A really good second half to be honest. I think with 3 trialists playing it certainly had an effect on the first half performance.
All worked out well in the end....
