Hartlepool United 1, Southampton 3

Nov 25 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

HARTLEPOOL United had begun to dream of a play-off push, but they were given a brutal reality check by Southampton last night to remind them rather more is needed in a division containing so many big clubs.

Chris Turner had hinted at a possible top-six finish after the 1-0 win over Leyton Orient, a challenge which would gain vital self-belief had Pool managed to take at least four points from a tough double header.

A narrow defeat against Huddersfield last weekend did not dampen his enthusiasm after an encouraging start to the season, but a depressing dose of realism was always a threat against a club which, despite its stunning fall from the Premier League, boasts extravagant resources for a League One outfit.

Hartlepool, though, have never been a side which fears a reputation under Turner’s management – as last season’s cup wins over West Brom and Stoke illustrated – and they were quick to push a sluggish Southampton on to the back foot.

The Saints, despite their financial problems, still have some big names to call upon and former Sunderland striker David Connolly was the first to show for them, a curling shot plucked out of the air by Scott Flinders.

It did not take long for Hartlepool to muster a response and Andy Monkhouse will feel as though he should have done better when the ball fell to him in the area – but a hurried shot cleared the crossbar.

It was the sort of chance Hartlepool needed to take in a game like this, but Monkhouse did not have to wait long to make amends.

The dangerous James Brown was given the time and space to pick out his man and an excellent cross was headed into the top corner by Monkhouse.

It is a mighty trek from the south coast to Hartlepool, and the visitors looked as though the journey had sapped their energy, but they eventually began to cause problems for the Pool defence, Flinders keeping out Adam Lallana’s header at his near post before the normally reliable Rickie Lambert steered the rebound over the bar from eight yards. Lallana, though, did not need another invitation and, galloping on to Connolly’s perfectly weighted through ball, he slotted through the legs of Flinders as Southampton began to establish an element of superiority in open play.