With a rise in tempretures expected hopeully this one will go ahead, again North End's team will be a mystery before the kick off. Hartlepool on a run of better form will obviously be useful away from home as they've been positively clueless at home. New managers at both clubs, should be interesting
Graham Westley's first victory as Preston North End manger will not be regarded as a classic in years to come, a single goal victory over Hartlepool after the visitors had dominated the first half. North End started well however after the intial flurry it was Hartlepool who took charge with 17 year old Luke James looking a star in the making as he gave the home defence no end of trouble. Stuckmann had already saved one goalbound effort when James set off on a mazy run which caused panic in the home defence the only thing lacking was the shot which went narrowly wide. Brown also powered a header narrowly wide and Stuckmann was also called on to save a couple of other goal bound effort. Scott Flinders in the Hartlepool goal didn't have a shot of note to save, North End's only effort ended up with the away fans. The 2nd half started with a bit of handbags between Hunt and Collins, before Mayor was brought on and he immediately linked with Holroyd to put in a super cross to the oncoming forwards of which there were none. For the next 20 minutes tedium raged as both sides ran out of ideas, Hartlepool seemed quite happy to take a point, however that changed on 75 minutes when a goal totally out of context with the football played during the game won the game for the home side. Mayor picking the ball up on the touch line beat a couple of players advanced on goal before blasting home a super strike from 25 yards. (1-0) Within minutes North End finally forced Flinders into a save, as time drifted away Hartlepool threw men foward to try and level the scores. Deep into injury time Pool had their chance or rather chances as within 30 seconds four were missed. Stuckmann saved from a suspiciously looking offside player, the ball spun in the air the follow up was cleared off the line by Hunt only to Monkhouse who hit the bar the ball ran free and Nish majestically missed the target from 2 yards. North End were home and hosed it was an ugly win but it was a win. Preston North End 1 Hartlepool United 0 Att 14000 apparently
