Mascot Gamble boosts Pools (From The Advertiser Series)

Mascot Gamble boosts Pools

9:20am Monday 8th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Hartlepool United 2 Leeds United 2

A LEEDS United mascot in his formative years, Joe Gamble finally brought a spot of good fortune to the Hartlepool United side.

Against the team he grew up supporting in Ireland, the midfielder helped Pools to much improved second-half performance which merited a point.

It’s only two points from a possible 18 for Pools, but after finally getting some reward for a decent performance, perhaps this can be a turning point in fortunes.

It needed Antony Sweeney’s injury time header to avoid defeat, and finally, after six performances for the club Gamble was able to enjoy some reward for his efforts.

While his displays have been impressive, in terms of results the midfielder has proved far from a lucky mascot for Pools since his recent arrival from Cork City.

“I’m a Leeds fan – I was mascot for them as a kid, not at Elland Road, but they used to come over to Ireland and play,’’ he recalled.

“I was in the supporters’ club, went to Elland Road four or five times. My dad was a big fan and he pushed me towards them. He was trying to come over for the weekend, but the price of flights was astronomical!

If Leeds don’t get promoted he will be over next season for two games.’’ He added: “I missed out on playing at Elland Road on Boxing Day, but hopefully if they don’t go up I will get the chance next year.

“I think they will go up, but in the teams we have played I think Charlton and Norwich were more impressive in terms of moving the ball around.

“Charlton and Leeds are maybe similar in style, they have some great players but are not as easy on the eye as Norwich.

“They have a lot of fellas who have played in the league a long time and while they may have had an off-day, it may have been down to us.

“I expect Norwich and Leeds automatic and then after that? I would fancy MK Dons for obvious reasons.’’ It was against MK Dons that Gamble made his debut, a memorable one if nothing else as Pools lost 5-0.

But they proved against Leeds what they are capable of, their second-half display particularly impressive.

Twice trailing, they came from behind to level first through Adam Boyd’s crisp volley before Sweeney powered in a deserved injury time equaliser.

And, for Gamble, it made a welcome change to have something to celebrate.

“I think it was a good second half performance, we pegged them back and we knew they had been struggling a little bit of late,’’ he admitted.

“They didn’t exactly pass us off the park, they hit a lot of long balls. They played old fashioned football, knock it on. We managed better as the game went on and pushed them all the way.

“Ritchie (Jones) coming on was an inspired substitution and helped turn the game. He gave us more pace on the wing and we gave him the ball a lot more, trying to get the ball down on the floor and he stretched the game, forcing them back.

“When it did come to me or Sweens we had more time to pick out our passes – Ritchie was fantastic.

“Other players were better for it as well, the game stretched out more and more.

Fatigue comes into it, there’s more gaps, but you have to move it on.

“We got the ball into players a lot more, played good football and put more good balls into the box.’’ It wasn’t so much a case of raising their game against the club that sees itself head and shoulders above the rest of the division. Pools played just as well at Norwich the previous week, the difference was, for a change, they got something which their display deserved.

Pools play better football with Gamble sitting in midfield pulling the strings and, with plenty of positive options to pick out on this occasion, the midfielder stood out.

Perhaps Leeds did Pools a favour by leaving out Rob Snodgrass and Bradley Johnson.

Jermaine Beckford was well-shackled by Sam Collins and his half-time withdrawl with a hamstring strain had little impact.

It was, however, the arrival of Jones that pushed Pools up a gear. Introduced on the right wing when Pools were getting on top, the former Manchester United midfielder enjoyed his finest half hour.

Too often Jones has been a peripheral figure, promise often turning to frustration. If he can deliver performances like this cameo on a regular basis from the off, Pools have some player on their hands.

Working the right wing, Jones exuded confidence and belief.

It was from his free-kick that Boyd headed on for Sweeney’s leveller and, for the first time in a long time, the Victoria Park supporters went home feeling positive.

Turner’s turning point?

The manager hopes so.

Matchfacts

Goals:

0-1: Becchio (21, turned in a header from Beckford’s chipped cross)

1-1: Boyd (71, a crisp and instinctive volley from 20 yards)

1-2: Becchio (77, close range finish after a shot came back off the post)

2-2: Sweeney (90, powerful header at the far post from six yards)

Booking: Austin (64, foul)

Referee: Scott Mathieson (Stockport): Tries to referee without undue interference and this was the same 7

Attendance: 5,115

Entertainment: ✰✰✰✰✰

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-4-2):

6 Flinders: Made two cracking first-half saves, but had the odd misunderstanding and was culpable for the second goal;

6 Austin: Got the ball and gave it to Jones to cause plenty of second-half problems

7 Collins: When the ball was played into Beckford he made a firm challenge and won the majority of times

8 Liddle: Cool and composed on the ball throughout and made some telling tackles

7 Hartley: Like Austin on the opposite side, Pools had a full-back always looking to pass into feet;

7 Sweeney: Workmanlike if not spectacular before he teed up Boyd for the first goal and his leveller

8 Gamble: Actually gave away possession on a couple of occasions – and it’s noticed because he doesn’t do it often 5Humphreys: Caught out for the first goal and didn’t play with much freedom before being replaced

6 Monkhouse: Got better with helping hands in both Pools goals after being bogged down early on;

7 Boyd: A bright presence, clinically scored from distance and enjoyed his return to the starting XI

5 Larkin: Subdued and didn’t make the most of openings presented to him.

Subs:

Behan (for Larkin 46): Proved more of a link man with the rest of the team and the runners around him made it easy 6

JONES (for Humphreys 58): Turned the game in Pools’ favour with his skill, pace and drive on the right 8 (not used): Cook (gk), Clark, McSweeney, Fredriksen, Bjornsson.

LEEDS UNITED (4-4-2):

Ankergren 6; Bromby 6, Naylor 6, Michalik 5, Lowry 6, Gradel 7, Doyle 6, Howson 6, McSheffrey 5 (Johnson 86), Beckford 5 (Snodgrass 46, 7), BECCHIO 7. Subs (not used): Martin (gk), Crowe, Grella, Hughes, White.

MAN OF THE MATCH

RITCHIE Jones – in 32 minutes he had more influence than anyone else in an assertive display.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)