Match Report


Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool United     Birmingham CityBirmingham City
Computer Player Computer Player Computer Player Computer Player
George RedknappG. Redknapp48
G
1
G
53Simon WetherallS. Wetherall
Jerome HognonJ. Hognon55
D
2
D
60Paul GerrardP. Gerrard
Adam PalmerA. Palmer55
D
3
D
44Carl GrondinC. Grondin
Francis MillsF. Mills55
D
captain4
D
44Gareth BenaliG. Benali
David PriestleyD. Priestley54
M
5
D
39Glynn LofthouseG. Lofthouse
Jacob WatsonJ. Watson43
M
6
M
46Nunzio CoralloN. Corallo
Leon BoertienL. Boertien42
M
7
M
42Syd LofthouseS. Lofthouse
Phil MoncurP. Moncur42
M
8
M
36Kieron WiltordK. Wiltord
Marvin WalkerM. Walker55
A
9captain
A
49Denny OoijerD. Ooijer
David DixonD. Dixon51
A
10
A
46Graeme HendrieG. Hendrie
Danny BenaliD. Benali49
A
11
A
42Syd MarshallS. Marshall
 
Niccolo VassellN. Vassell53
D
12
G
48Joe FentonJ. Fenton
Carl MossC. Moss48
A
13
A
40Marino De BoerM. De Boer
Sylvain RobinsonS. Robinson46
G
14
D
39Kelvin AllmanK. Allman

Latinos 305
today's match is sponsored by Latinos 305
Match Report
The sky is dark and overcast here at The Victoria Park where Hartlepool United play host to Birmingham City. Its a sell-out today with the 3,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Hartlepool United are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Birmingham City appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Paolo Chadwick.


0.00
Hartlepool United get the match underway!
3.23
Francis Mills knocks the ball to his team mate, Jacob Watson. Jacob Watson makes a probing pass to Danny Benali. Danny Benali knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Paul Gerrard.
6.28
Francis Mills sees Jacob Watson in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Jacob Watson chips the ball to his team mate, Marvin Walker. Marvin Walker threads the ball through to Danny Benali but he's offside!
12.15
Syd Lofthouse makes a simple pass to Denny Ooijer. Denny Ooijer knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to George Redknapp who gathers it comfortably.
14.36
David Priestley kicks a strong pass forward to David Dixon. David Dixon plays a one-two with Danny Benali and rushes in on goal... David Dixon makes some space for himself and shoots at goal but it's drastically wayward!
16.30
With great vision, Leon Boertien plays the ball forward to David Dixon. David Dixon sees Danny Benali just inside the box and quickly passes the ball. Danny Benali muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal. It's a goal!! What a beauty!
22.45
Adam Palmer makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Jacob Watson. Jacob Watson sees space and advances. Jacob Watson plays a scrappy one-two with David Dixon and stumbles forward towards the goal... Jacob Watson takes a shot at goal but it is shockingly off target!
24.15
Carl Grondin hits a low pass to Nunzio Corallo. Nunzio Corallo deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Syd Marshall. Syd Marshall knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Adam Palmer.
27.11
Showing composure, Jacob Watson plays the ball forward to David Dixon. David Dixon shoots from 20 yards but slams it into the crowd!
30.53
Gareth Benali controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Syd Lofthouse. Syd Lofthouse advances with the ball. Syd Lofthouse lofts in a cross ball towards Syd Marshall. Syd Marshall makes a convincing header but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
34.04
Phil Moncur chips the ball to his team mate, Marvin Walker. Marvin Walker controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. It curls slightly but Simon Wetherall manages to gather it effortlessly.
36.10
With a delightful solo run, Jacob Watson stretches the opposition's defence. Jacob Watson finds some space and shoots from distance. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Jacob Watson!
45.00
The first half ends with the referee blowing his whistle!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Hartlepool United appear unchanged since the first half. Birmingham City also appear unchanged since the first half. The Birmingham City players look more motivated than they were before.

45.00
Birmingham City kick off the second half!
55.31
Phil Moncur makes a beautiful pass to the feet of David Dixon. David Dixon knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Simon Wetherall who gathers it comfortably.
60.18
Hartlepool United have made a substitution with Sylvain Robinson replacing Danny Benali .Birmingham City have made 3 substitutions with Joe Fenton replacing Gareth Benali, Marino De Boer replacing Nunzio Corallo and Kelvin Allman replacing Syd Marshall .
61.23
With great vision, Adam Palmer plays the ball forward to Leon Boertien. Leon Boertien hits a low pass to Sylvain Robinson. Sylvain Robinson sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it's drastically wayward!
63.41
Jacob Watson plays the ball forward to Sylvain Robinson. Sylvain Robinson finds some space and shoots from distance but he balloons it over the crossbar!
65.41
Jacob Watson chips the ball to his team mate, David Dixon. David Dixon makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Marvin Walker but he's offside!
71.44
Jacob Watson makes a simple pass to David Dixon. David Dixon knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Simon Wetherall who gathers it comfortably.
75.54
Syd Lofthouse sees a break and surges forward. Syd Lofthouse rushes past Francis Mills! Syd Lofthouse shoots from just inside the box but it is shockingly off target!
77.57
Kieron Wiltord flicks a high pass forward to Graeme Hendrie who brings the ball under control. Graeme Hendrie cuts inside the box! Graeme Hendrie muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal but it's a woeful effort!
78.27
With some swift thinking, Leon Boertien plays the ball forward to David Dixon. David Dixon shoots from 20 yards but it is tipped over by Simon Wetherall.
79.55
It's a corner kick. Phil Moncur kicks a low ball out wide. Jacob Watson looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal but connects badly, narrowly missing the linesman!
81.31
Jerome Hognon chips the ball to his team mate, Jacob Watson. Jacob Watson plays the ball forward to David Dixon. David Dixon rushes past Paul Gerrard! David Dixon shoots from just inside the box but somehow Simon Wetherall manages to keep it out.
90.00
The whistle indicates full-time!

Match Statistics
 

Hartlepool United

Birmingham City
Goals
2
0
Shots on Target
5
0
Shots off Target
6
3
Offsides
2
1
Fouls
0
0
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
53.8%
46.2%
Play Area
21.8%
46.2%
32.1%

Scorers
Danny Benali 16
Jacob Watson 36

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Jacob Watson of Hartlepool United

Match Ratings
1.George Redknapp (GK)
6
2.Jerome Hognon (DEF)
6
3.Adam Palmer (DEF)
6
4.Francis Mills (DEF)
6
5.David Priestley (MID)
6
6.Jacob Watson (MID)goal scored
9
7.Leon Boertien (MID)
6
8.Phil Moncur (MID)
6
9.Marvin Walker (ATT)
6
10.David Dixon (ATT)
7
11.Danny Benali (ATT)goal scored
7
 
12.Niccolo Vassell (DEF)
0
13.Carl Moss (ATT)
0
14.Sylvain Robinson (GK)
6

1.Simon Wetherall (GK)
7
2.Paul Gerrard (DEF)
6
3.Carl Grondin (DEF)
6
4.Gareth Benali (DEF)
6
5.Glynn Lofthouse (DEF)
6
6.Nunzio Corallo (MID)
6
7.Syd Lofthouse (MID)
8
8.Kieron Wiltord (MID)
6
9.Denny Ooijer (ATT)
6
10.Graeme Hendrie (ATT)
6
11.Syd Marshall (ATT)
6
 
12.Joe Fenton (GK)
6
13.Marino De Boer (ATT)
6
14.Kelvin Allman (DEF)
6