We just missed the 11am train, so caught the 11.30 and arrived at 12.14. We headed for the Tavern Pub and soon met up with those that had come up by train. I missed myself on football focus but luckily had set the video!
Once most people we were meeting had arrived we moved on and ended up in the Route 66 bar which was full of Scottish Hartlepool fans. 2 of them had walked down from Edinburgh to raise money for charity.
They all had kilts on and were a mixture of rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Hearts supporters! They were a good laugh and then one dug out his bagpipes, and it was a good old sign song.
We moved on towards the ground and ended up in the pub near the station called "The Bank". The beer was strange, the place empty and I won't be going back. I left about 1/2 my pint and we moved on to another pub just round the corner.
At 2.45 it was time to head to the ground and we joined the queue for the away end. So much for all ticket, it was pay on the day as well. I would guess at around 600/650 Albion fans and we certainly made plenty of noise.
The match, well 0-0 but a good game. Kuipers made some excellent saves again, we looked strong at the back, and had a couple of good chances, especially second half but failed to put any away.
Knight had one great effort blocked by the keeper and Pethick had one good long range effort, Knight looked skilful and had a couple of good shots, but I thought once Henderson was a isolated and out the match for long periods.
The Ref made some very strange decisions late on. Harding was booked for coming on for the injured Cullip (booked after the corner was taken, decision made by the linesman - did he come on without permission?) I think somebody said this is our 4th 0-0 draw in recent years at Hartlepool.
After the game and it was back to the nice friendly working mans club next door to the tavern and a could of nice cheap pints with Callum (others gone back to Darlo by taxi to make the train connection).
We all caught the 17.32 back to Newcastle (we left Callum heading towards Carlisle) and then a nice meal and few drinks before a relatively early night as on the 6.50am flight back Sunday morning.
Roll on Rushden.
Ratings
Kuipers - 9 superb again
Hinshelwood - 8 as above
Mayo - 8 much improved from Middlesbrough match
Cullip - 8 hope the injury is not too bad
Butters - 8 another solid display
Hart - 8 best game for a while
Carpenter - 7 battled
Pethick - 7 as above
Jones - 6 solid but not spectacular!
Knight - 8 battled hard, and got himself in several good positions
Henderson - 6 is a good player, but still drifts out of matches IMHO
Subs
Harding (for Cullip) -6 little impact on the match
Mark R
Once most people we were meeting had arrived we moved on and ended up in the Route 66 bar which was full of Scottish Hartlepool fans. 2 of them had walked down from Edinburgh to raise money for charity.
They all had kilts on and were a mixture of rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Hearts supporters! They were a good laugh and then one dug out his bagpipes, and it was a good old sign song.
We moved on towards the ground and ended up in the pub near the station called "The Bank". The beer was strange, the place empty and I won't be going back. I left about 1/2 my pint and we moved on to another pub just round the corner.
At 2.45 it was time to head to the ground and we joined the queue for the away end. So much for all ticket, it was pay on the day as well. I would guess at around 600/650 Albion fans and we certainly made plenty of noise.
The match, well 0-0 but a good game. Kuipers made some excellent saves again, we looked strong at the back, and had a couple of good chances, especially second half but failed to put any away.
Knight had one great effort blocked by the keeper and Pethick had one good long range effort, Knight looked skilful and had a couple of good shots, but I thought once Henderson was a isolated and out the match for long periods.
The Ref made some very strange decisions late on. Harding was booked for coming on for the injured Cullip (booked after the corner was taken, decision made by the linesman - did he come on without permission?) I think somebody said this is our 4th 0-0 draw in recent years at Hartlepool.
After the game and it was back to the nice friendly working mans club next door to the tavern and a could of nice cheap pints with Callum (others gone back to Darlo by taxi to make the train connection).
We all caught the 17.32 back to Newcastle (we left Callum heading towards Carlisle) and then a nice meal and few drinks before a relatively early night as on the 6.50am flight back Sunday morning.
Roll on Rushden.
Ratings
Kuipers - 9 superb again
Hinshelwood - 8 as above
Mayo - 8 much improved from Middlesbrough match
Cullip - 8 hope the injury is not too bad
Butters - 8 another solid display
Hart - 8 best game for a while
Carpenter - 7 battled
Pethick - 7 as above
Jones - 6 solid but not spectacular!
Knight - 8 battled hard, and got himself in several good positions
Henderson - 6 is a good player, but still drifts out of matches IMHO
Subs
Harding (for Cullip) -6 little impact on the match
Mark R