A look back at another important three points for Harriers at Hartlepool….
By Matty Paddock - 24/01/2024
Posted 2 years ago
ASHLEY Hemmings netted his 13th goal of the season to secure Harriers a priceless 1-0 win at Hartlepool on Tuesday.
In near-farcical scenes at times owing to the windy conditions, both teams adapted well enough to put on a very watchable contest with the Reds coming out on top.
Gold Omotayo was almost on hand to turn Harriers ahead inside a couple of minutes, only to be denied by a good block by Manny Onariase. Five later, Joel Dixon made a good save to thwart an Ashley Hemmings effort from just inside the area as the visitors made good early running, Sam Bellis firing over not long after.
Hartlepool then came into the game and, after the quarter hour, fired over through Tom Crawford and well wide courtesy of Anthony Mancini’s low shot. They came decidedly closer shortly after when Christian Dibble was needed at the double to thwart both Crawford and Mancini.
A quieter period then followed as both sides tried to battle the driving wind and rain, though Hartlepool did manage a couple more openings before the interval when Courtney Duffus shot wide on the angle and Tom Parkes planted a good header over Dibble’s target.
In the second half, Harriers tried their best to use the wind to their advantage, and a drive from Zak Brown deflected wide of the target when it could just as well have gone anywhere.
With 67 gone, Harriers edged themselves in front. Byrne and Hemmings exchanged passes on the edge of the area, the latter dinking in a low cross towards Morgan-Smith that ended up eluding the striker and goalkeeper and nestled into the bottom corner.
Seven minutes later Byrne fired over the bar from the same spot he’d combined with Hemmings, Bellis then showing his relentless energy by having enough in the tank to charge at goal and shoot with a deflected effort that sailed past the post.
To Harriers’ credit, the expected onslaught and flurry of Hartlepool chances never got chance to get going and the win was seen out with minimum fuss, save for a great block from Dibble in the 91st minute as he stood up against Hendrie as he tried to finish from ten yards.
Get full team news and key match facts at The Match Centre.
This article is about: Match
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
