Hartlepool United Football Club

Goals from Rhys Oates, Luke Armstrong, and an own-goal fromJosef Yarney gave Pools a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Chesterfield.

Pools started the game brightly, with a half-chance from

Nicky Featherstone fired into the arms of Smith. The pressure told immediately

as Challinor's men took the lead. A corner from David Ferguson was flicked

goalwards by Holohan and Smith's save only found Oates who made no mistake.

Further chances followed, with Chesterfield getting their

first corner of the game and Shelton seeing a shot saved after weaving through

three defenders. Mark Shelton had a shout for a penalty after an off-the-ball

collision, but the referee waved away his protests.

A second goal for Pools followed after a great move. Gary

Liddle, playing in the quarterback role, played a defence-splitting pass to

Sterry. The former Newcastle man took a chance, driving a low ball across the

box which found Yarney and the Chesterfield defender could only turn the ball

into his own net.

Chesterfield had a big chance to get back in the game, but

Danny Rowe's venomous free-kick was well parried by Ravas as the Slovakian made

his first save of the game. Up the other end, Pools made it a first-half

treble.

Featherstone's free-kick found Liddle at the back post, and

the experienced defender pulled the ball back. Holohan looked nailed-on to

score, but he somehow hit the post, with Armstrong following up to get his 12^thgoal of the season and his first in five games.

Chesterfield started the second half brighter with Danny

Rowe and Nathan Tyson both trying to make in-roads. Their pressure eventually

paid off in the 62^nd minute. After Gary Liddle blocked the

Chesterfield cross, the resulting corner was headed beyond Ravas by former

Poolie Fraser Kerr.

Pools had a chance to make it four with just under 20

minutes to go. Rhys Oates spun his man, drove forwards, and tried to shoot with

Armstrong in acres of space. Maguire made a good block and the chance went.

Harvey Saunders made his debut in place of Armstrong as

Pools continued to defend well from front to back against a re-energised

Chesterfield side.

Pools now travel to Bromley on Monday looking to make it 17 unbeaten and to keep the pressure on the teams above them.

SUBS: Francis-Angola for Cass, Saunders for Armstrong, Donaldson for Oates