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Match Reports

Match report: Pools ease into the first proper round

24 October 2020

Match Reports

Match report: Pools ease into the first proper round

24 October 2020

Hartlepool United eased their way into the first round proper of the FA Cup, thanks to a comfortable and professional win at Ilkeston Town.

There are three divisions between the teams and six goals separated them on a wet and windy afternoon in Derbyshire.

Goals from Luke Molyneux, Joe Gray, Tom Crawford, Mason Bloomfield, David Parkhouse and Gavan Holohan saw Pools ease into Monday's draw.

Six minutes in and Pools took the lead with a goal for Molyneux on his return to the side. 

Debutant Gray moved ahead and slid a ball in for the attacker to dink a delightful finish past keeper Ross Durrant.

And Pools kept up the pressure with a swift second goal. This time it was Gray with the finish, turning home neatly from a left-sided break led by David Ferguson.

It was the ideal opening for Pools as they took the sting out of any hopes Ilkeston had of making swift inroads on the unbeaten visitors.

The visitors made their first inroads on Pools on 16 minutes when a move saw Ollie Brown-Hill in on goal. He tried to chip the ball over keeper Henrick Ravas, but he cleared the car park behind the goal.

And it was soon 3-0 to the rampant visitors as Crawford netted his first Pools goal from close range.

The home side had their best chance on 36 minutes. Gary Liddle, back in the side after injury, lost possession and striker Alex Troke was in on goal, but struck his low finish against the post.

Molyneux thundered a shot against the bar, Bloomfield rounded the keeper and hit the post with an offside flag up, then Nicky Featherstone stretched to head against the bar when he met a Lewis Cass cross. 

It was the home side's turn to hit the post as a header by James Reid bounced back into play.

But Pools went in at the break in complete command. 

On came Timi Odusina for Johnson at the start of the second half. 

Pools started the half on the front foot, with Holohan rounding the keeper and only a string and firm saving tackle denied Pools a fourth.

The home side certainly showed more mettle in the second period, putting Pools under more pressure when in possession.

Bloomfield kept plugging away, pulling a shot wide after he lost his shape in front of goal to bounce an effort wide.

Josh McDonald was introduced for his Pools debut on the hour mark, replacing Molyneux.

Bloomfield made it four on 68 minutes, sweeping home his first goal for the club from ten yards as he was picked out by McDonald following a sublime Holohan pass. 

On came David Parkhouse, celebrating his birthday, replacing impressive Grey. 

And he was celebrating a goal on 82 minutes, crashing in a low angled finish after a swift counter-attack led by McDonald.

The rout was completed with two minutes to go with a deserved goal by Holohan, breaking through the middle and cracking home with confidence.

Pools go into the hat for Monday's first round proper draw.


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