After a pretty tedious first half the first 20 mins of the second half was much better. We pressed really well in that spell and deservedly took the lead but pools being pools we had to make a routine win against a poor side look hard work. I can see this team scoring goals but they seem totally unable to keep a clean sheet, maidenhead barely threatend all game but we still gifted them a goal. I have to say there number 5 Ayo was one of the shittest players I've ever seen!. A few ratings.....

Loach 6, very little to do but still looking iffy on crosses.
Kioso 7, thought he was solid and kept it simple
Magnay 7, another solid performer in the centre and looked rarely troubled.
Anderson 6, looked a bit shaky but was far better than when I saw him against spennymoor during pre season. He still doesn't fill me with confidence and looks a bit soft.
Kitching 6, I think he'd be a decent left back but for me he doesn't seem to have the pace or energy to get up and down as a wing back. All our decent attacks came down the right.
Donaldson 8, best game I've seen him have in a pools shirt and was a good outlet all game.
Noble 5, dunno if he's tired as he's just had a baby but he was poor today. Nothing came off for him but at least he doesn't hide when he's not on his game.
Woods 7, good energy and link up today
Featherstone 7, nice to see him get stuck in a bit today and that finish was cracking.
Muir 7, really like him, good link up play and looks a clever player.
James 8 , deserved his goal today, was a constant menace and all's number 5 could do was man handle him.

Didn't like us wasting time with 86 mins on the clock to be honest but I suppose it paid off today. Will still be glad when Davies is back!.

Generally agree with the numbers, but thought that we played well in spells in the first half with a couple of decent chances. Kitching looks like there is a good footballer inside, but is lightweight in defence and not pacey enough in attack.
Noble played some unbelievably poor balls after 60 minutes - could have cost us dear. Looked off the pace in the last half hour.
Anderson only looked unsure when left exposed by the midfield trio, otherwise pretty solid.
Kioso for me deserved MoM. He knows when to hold and when to go on a run. With his pace he should be encouraged to go forward more often.

Well you answered your own question regarding Noble.............How many people would turn out to play a football game just after giving birth He should have stayed at home and bonded with his new born baby and try out breast feeding.

Those stitches must start to knack after a minute or so.

A win is a win, great to get off the mark, even if it was our 5th game. Another mixed bag, dominated for couple of 10-15 periods and likewise under the cost for periods at times. It definitely looks like this season is going to be a topsy turvy inconsistent one. Some good individual performances, Muir and James, who are a menace and probably one of the best partnerships in this league. Also some poor individual performances such as Anderson and Kitching, and surprisingly Noble, you do worry about that left side against some of the better sides. Good to see Featherstone get a goal and James of course. What was Bates thinking taking James off in injury time?, he was a threat going forward at all times and could of got us a third to finish game off, also at the time he was our best defender , chasing and harrying and defending from the front, strange decision imo. Still we got there in the end and that's all that matters.


Lets aim for at least 4 points of 6 in next 2 games, see Salford beat Chesterfield, can we? good test next couple of games as we have struggled so far in what was an easy start.

It was a scrappy win - but Pools looked a lot better against Harrogate and only drew, so it's the result that matters. Donaldson's run and cross and Luke getting his nut on it was pure quality - a goal that a proper team would be delighted with. Pools looked some way from that today but let's see what a bit of confidence can do.

Kitching for me looks like a young lad who could do with a spell out of the team. His first 45 minutes in front of the Millhouse was dire. At the minute he looks like an automatic pick because there's no-one else in the squad to play as wing back on the left. Time for a loan signing I think.