Hartlepool United 2 Newcastle United 0
IT'S not often that a Hartlepool United reserves game is graced by a media scrum.
Joey Barton may have hardly kicked a ball in six months but his past off-the-field indiscretions still make him big news for the likes of Sky Sports News and BBC Five Live who descended on Victoria Park in hope of an eye-catching moment.
Barton, the Magpies captain for the night, didn't disappoint by sending a penalty soaring over the bar after attempting a cocky chip.
But Barton and a Newcastle United side made up of rookies ultimately had to play second fiddle to a Pools outfit who relished the chance to pit their ability against football's most notorious bad boy.
Barton was content to stroll around the park in a quarter-back role, showing there is some ability under all the baggage with a range of classy long-range passing.
But it was the dominance of the two Pools central midfielders which ultimately proved a decisive in a victory which could easily have been more than the two goal scoreline.
Alan Power was all hustle and bustle and only some horribly wayward finishing denied him the goal he deserved.
The enigmatic Jonny Rowell alongside him also impressed and that regular first team berth is getting closer and closer for arguably the most naturally-talented player at the club.
At 20, Rowell should be playing first-team football.
He has been held back by Chris Turner over concerns about his physicality, off-the-ball work and communication.
But the flaws in Rowell's game are beginning to iron out.
He rarely goes on mindless dribbles into no-man's land anymore, is beginning to open his mouth and shout at his team-mates and most crucially, is throwing himself into 50-50 challenges with a bit more relish.
Rowell will not be the only player pushing for a first-team place at Tranmere on Friday night.
Leon McSweeney has been hugely impressive since asking to play at right-back for the second string and if he can continue that form in League
One either in defence or on the wing, he will prove an asset.
Likewise, Ritchie Humphreys chased down everything and both his short passing and crossing from the flank was first rate.
At the other end of his career, goalkeeper Grant Herbert is just starting his career with the 18-year-old youth team stopper making his first appearance for the reserves.
But on this evidence, Herbert could have a future in the game, despite conceding the second half spot-kick which Barton blazed over.
Herbert collected every cross cleanly and confidently while left his defence in no doubt of his intentions by being a vocal presence.
The teenager might even be rewarded with a place on the bench at Tranmere with second-choice stopper Mark Cook having a groin injury assessed tomorrow.
Assistant coach Colin West said: "Grant did very well.
"Newcastle were asking how old he is and I wasn't telling them because I don't want them sniffing around our goalkeeper!
"He's come in for his debut after working ever so hard with Gary Walsh (goalkeeping coach) whose done a great job with the goalkeepers.
"He only had that one bit of a stutter where he gave away the penalty.
"But I'm pleased to see the referee didn't send him off and we've got away with it."
The Pools strikeforce of Michael Mackay and Billy Greulich proved a handful for the Newcastle back four all evening and they almost combined for the opener in the 11th minute.
Greulich hooked the ball over the top of the backline for Mackay who twisted and turned on the edge of the area before curling a shot agonisingly wide of the post.
But five minutes later, the same pair did reap the rewards when Newcastle were caught ragged at the back and Greulich played a perfect through-ball between the centre-halves.
Mackay ran onto the pass and delicately lifted the ball into the far corner.
Humphreys almost doubled the lead in spectacular fashion moments later after teeing the ball up for himself 25 yards and striking a sweet volley which descended onto the roof of the net.
Rowell went close in first half stoppage time when he met a loose ball 20 yards out with a rocket of a shot which was parried behind brilliantly by Magpies stopper Ole Soderberg.
But the let-off was only temporary as Humphreys' resulting corner was flicked on at the near post by Mackay for Colin Larkin who nodded it into the net from point-blank range.
The second half was a much more mundane affair with Pools happy to keep things tight while Newcastle huffed and puffed.
The only real moment of note came in the 65th minute when substitute Frank Danquah charged down Tom Marron's clearance to send Philip Airey through on goal.
Airey took the ball away from Herbert and was brought down by the Pools stopper.
Barton stepped up and tried a pitching wedge chip down the centre of goal only to completely mistime the shot and send it soaring over the top.
"From the first whistle, we got at them and put balls in the right areas," said West.
"I don't think our goalkeeper had to make a save in the first half.
"He had to come and get a couple of crosses but that was all.
"We scored the second goal at a crucial time just before half-time which gave us a platform for the second half.
"They've missed a penalty which could have put them back in the game.
"The second half was a little bit more dogged but in the closing stages, we took over again and had a few chances."
POOLS: Herbert, McSweeney, Fredriksen, Rowell, Marron, Haslam, Larkin (Richards 87), Power, Greulich, Mackay, Humphreys (D Johnson 87). Subs not used: Wakefield, C Liddle, Purvis. Booked: Power (20), Herbert (63)
NEWCASTLE: Soderberg, Leadbitter, Lough, McLaughlin (Godsmark 52), Morris, Tozer, Barton (McDermott 74), Donaldson, Airey, Edmundsson (Danquah 46), Ferguson. Subs not used: McCrudden, Folan. Booked: Morris (29)
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Weather for Hartlepool
Monday 13 February 2012
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