Our review of last season moves in to February and Craig Hignett's work on the training ground was starting to show with some improving performances.
Making The Headlines
The month started with disappointment as the planned trip to Ebbsfleet United was lost to the freezing temperatures and Pools would have to make the long journey at a later date in midweek.
Jake Cassidy was on the move again as he returned for a second spell on loan at Maidstone United, while Craig Hignett moved to snap up centre-back Fraser Kerr on a permanent deal from Gateshead.
Gavan Holohan also arrived at the Club on a short-term deal, while England C came calling for Pools striker Luke James who was called up for their game against Wales.
High Point
There is little question that the highlight of the month came during our trip to Boreham Wood when Pools turned on the style to smash four unanswered goals past their hosts.
It was as fluent as Pools had been – certainly away from home – in many a year and the result rarely looked in doubt from the moment Nicke Kabamba headed in his fourth goal in as many games with just seven minutes gone.
Craig Hignett’s men had to wait until five minutes in to the second half to find the net again when Josh Hawkes let fly from the edge of the area, before the midfielder then made it 3-0 from the penalty spot shortly afterwards.
Kabamba filled his boots with his second of the afternoon near the end but, in truth, Pools could easily have scored double their tally as they oozed confidence at Meadow Park.
Low Point
The final game of the month saw Pools beaten on home turf by Bromley on an afternoon when Hignett admitted his team simply didn’t come up with enough answers to the visitors’ questions.
Marc-Anthony Okoye had Bromley in front on the half hour before Luke Coulson volleyed in a terrific second on the stroke of half-time to put them firmly in the driving seat.
Pools did have a go as the second half wore on and pulled a goal back through Liam Noble’s excellent strike from twenty yards but it wasn’t enough to salvage anything.
Goal Of The Month Winner
Liam Noble’s goal against Bromley didn’t bring about any reward for Pools but it did land the midfield star his first Goal of the Month prize.
Noble collected a loose ball on the edge of the area before engineering a looping shot which deceived the visiting keeper and found its way in to the top corner – a worthy winner of the trophy.
Points Gained: 5
Goals Scored: 6
Starting Position: 15th
Finishing Position: 13th