York City 1 Hartlepool United 1
Aug 2 2010 The Journal
CHRIS Turner admits shot-shy Hartlepool United need to sharpen up going forward to survive in League One.
Centre-back Sam Collins scored Pools’ goal as they drew 1-1 with Conference promotion hopefuls York City, and Turner was not happy with his side’s lack of cutting edge as they limber up for next weekend’s opener at Rochdale.
It was just the latest pre-season disappointment for Hartlepool, whose pre-season has featured a 5-0 hammering by Leeds, a defeat at Garforth and a draw with Whitley Bay.
They took the lead in the fourth minute when Collins volleyed home a Fabian Yantorno corner and probably should have clinched their first win of pre-season.
Hartlepool hit the crossbar and forced a fine save from Michael Ingham, but could not make the breakthrough.
That meant a 41st-minute mistake by goalkeeper Scott Flinders ended up costing them dear.
He let a Richard Brodie header squirm through his fingers after the York striker connected with a Liam Darville cross.
Turner said: “It must be clear to everyone that our main problem is we cannot score goals.
“Our defence is sound and we played with a good shape against York, but it is goals which keep you in any division and we at not scoring enough.”
