Despite gaining a two-goal advantage, Darren Sarll’s visit to his former stomping ground ended in misfortune when a red card and three second half goals put an end to Pools’ unbeaten start.
Sarll named three changes to his starting line-up, resting captain Luke Waterfall while Louis Stephenson and Anthony Mancini also dropped out. Billy Sass-Davies, Kieron Freeman and Nicky Featherstone were the replacements.
Pools began the game in emphatic fashion with a goal for forward, Joe Grey, after just three minutes. After some brilliant play on the right flank, Grey cut inside and finished well into the bottom corner to put Pools 1-0 up.
Just six minutes later, Grey got both his and Hartlepool’s second of the game after Mani Dieseruvwe’s pass helped him through on goal, smashing the ball into the roof of the net. An excellent start on the road for Sarll’s side.
Woking looked to have made a quick reply, after having the ball in the net three minutes later, but the linesman’s flag went up. Hartlepool were then forced into an early change as centre-back Tom Parkes went off due to injury and he was replaced by Manny Onariase.
On the 25th minute came a moment of madness for midfielder Jack Hunter, who was shown a yellow card on the 24th minute, and proceeded to make another foul to be dismissed seconds later. Hartlepool were reduced to ten men and received their second red card in four games.
After being reduced to a man less, there was little to shout about for the rest of the half for Pools, but they made it into half-time with a 2-0 lead regardless.
Tthe first chance of the second period came on 52 minutes for Woking, though David Ferguson made a huge block at the back post against Lewis Walker to maintain the two-goal lead.
On 65 minutes, with Pools defending their lead and being under pressure, Sarll made a double change as Featherstone and Adam Campbell made way for Greg Sloggett and Darren Robinson. However, just three minutes later, Woking pulled a goal back as Matt Ward fired a shot in from the right-hand side which went past Joel Dixon in goal.
That goal for Woking only enhanced the pressure on the Hartlepool defence. On 79 minutes, Ward laid the ball off for Tim Akinola, whose deflected shot made it’s way into the back of the net for the home side to make it 2-2. That goal had looked inevitable with Pools defending against the extra man.
The final ten minutes consisted of more of the same for Hartlepool, with Woking piling the pressure on and resilient Pools defending. On 92 minutes, with just three minutes to play of the additional five, Harry Beautyman’s half-volley found it’s way into the bottom left corner. Woking had turned the game on it’s head, coming from two down to lead 3-2, heartbreaking for Sarll’s side.
The game ended 3-2 to Woking who picked up their third win on the bounce. It also ended Hartlepool’s unbeaten start to the season in the most unlikely fashion, after leading 2-0 with just nine minutes played.
Pools: Dixon, Freeman (Stephenson 80’), Sass Davies, Parkes (Onariase 19’), Ferguson, Featherstone (Sloggett 65’), Hunter, Sheron, Campbell (Robinson 65’), Grey (Mancini 84’), Dieseruvwe
Subs (not used): Smith, Steel
Goals: Joe Grey (3,9’)
Red Card: Jack Hunter (25’)
