Gamble pays off to leave Turner happy

Feb 8 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

Hartlepool United 2, Leeds United 2

THE introduction of Ritchie Jones rescued a valuable point from what seemed like certain defeat for Hartlepool United.

However, it was former Leeds United mascot Joe Gamble who Chris Turner credits with the cultured football which produced it.

For an hour at Victoria Park on Saturday, Hartlepool United were dreadful, shaky at the back and profligate in their passing.

The Leeds side which beat Manchester United last month would have destroyed them.

However, the team which has won just once since could not add to Luciano Becchio’s 23rd-minute header.

Scott Flinders had earlier tipped a Becchio header on to the underside of his bar, but for all their dominance Leeds lacked craft.

For a midfielder signed from Manchester United, 23-year-old Jones has never consistently brought his class to bear on League One.

However, his 58th-minute introduction instantly added energy and impetus as he ran at opponents, passed crisply and shot at will. Andy Monkhouse and Adam Boyd suddenly looked better players.

Boyd volleyed a stunning 72nd-minute equaliser, and only Casper Ankergren’s save stopped Monkhouse adding another minutes later.

When Becchio bundled his second it looked like Jones’ efforts had been in vain, but Pool persevered – and when Anthony Sweeney scored in the fourth added minute, a second point in six games was theirs.

If Hartlepool were chalk and cheese with and without Jones, one thing was consistent. Against direct opponents, Hartlepool always tried to play football.

Given an injection of confidence by Jones, they were the better side.