Hartlepool United made it three home wins from three in League Two with an entertaining win against local rivals Carlisle. Goals from Tyler Burey and man of the match Gavan Holohan saw Pools claim all three points, despite Zach Clough’s clipped finish.
The first action of the game came when Carlisle had the ball in the net. Unfortunately for the visitors, it was punched in by Zach Clough and the striker was booked for the foul. Next, it was Pools’ turn to attack with a good cross finding Goodwin in the box. The on-loan striker made a good connection, but the ball flew over.
The breakthrough came from Pools’ main dangerman, Tyler Burey. The forward picked up the ball, exchanged passes with Goodwin, and then fired high into the net for two goals in as many games.
Burey had another chance shortly after but the defender managed to make a block and clear the danger. Shelton, Sterry, and Ferguson continued to pose a threat down the flanks, but Carlisle managed to keep the score at 1-0.
Holohan had a big chance to double the advantage, but he could only turn Sterry’s cross over the bar from close range. Minutes after the miss, Carlisle were level. Good work down the right saw Armer get his cross into the box and Clough turned the ball past Killip.
Much of the first 15 minutes of the second half was played out in the midfield. Featherstone and Holohan saw plenty of the ball for Pools, while Guy and Mellish were getting on the ball for Carlisle.
Dave Challinor shuffled his pack, replacing Goodwin and Shelton with Daly and Molyneux. It almost paid off immediately as the latter drove into the box and saw a low shot blocked. After Carlisle skipper Guy went into the book, Pools were back in the lead.
After pinball following Jamie Sterry’s long throw, the ball sat up beautifully for Gavan Holohan and the Irishman smashed it well beyond Norman in the Carlisle goal. The crowd were already singing his name, but this goal sent them into raptures.
Despite Carlisle making a triple change, Pools continued to see more of the ball and make better chances. Ferguson’s free-kick was narrowly wide and Tyler Burey continued to work hard until he was replaced by Ogle in the closing minutes.
Pools closed out the game with good defending and can now focus on the rematch against Carlisle in the Papa Johns Trophy on Tuesday.
Pools XI: Killip, Sterry, Byrne, Liddle, Angol, Ferguson, Shelton (Daly 65), Holohan, Featherstone, Burey (Ogle 81), Goodwin (Molyneux 65)