Blackpool-Hartlepool United: I don't care if our keeper scores the winner

Padraig Amond insists he does not mind who scores for Hartlepool United '“ as long as the team play their way to safety as soon as possible.
Padraig Amond. Picture by Frank ReidPadraig Amond. Picture by Frank Reid
Padraig Amond. Picture by Frank Reid

The former Grimsby goal-machine is the leading scorer in his debut season at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium, netting 13 times.

Amond scored in the vital wins over Crewe and Exeter and then turned provider for Michael Woods in the 1-0 victory at Cambridge as Pools ended their five-and-a-month wait for an away success.

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“I had the chance to shoot against Cambridge, but I just felt I had the opportunity to put someone in,” said Amond, who will lead the Pools line at Blackpool today.

“At this stage of the season, I don’t care who scores our goals, it could be [keeper] Joe Fryer in the 90th minute with a long kick down the field.

“It’s all about getting enough points on the board for Hartlepool as soon as possible.”

Amond smiled in his interview with SportMail at how Woods failed to repay the favour by getting in the Irishman’s way last Saturday against Wycombe.

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Lewis Alessandra tried to tee up Amond for what looked certain to be the equaliser against the Chairboys.

But Woods only succeeded in hindering him and the chance was lost.

“I wanted to knock him out!” laughed Amond.

“He was coming into the ball and obviously he was confident after scoring in the game before, but I was in the better position!”

That unfortunate incident was one of the team’s final chances though away keeper Jamal Blackman made a good save from Scott Harrison’s header and Brad Walker saw an effort land on the top of the net.

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Despite the defeat, the 13-goal striker saw promise in the performance against another side chasing a play-off spot.

“The result wasn’t fantastic, but, for the majority of the first half, while we were not creating chances, we were solid enough, with Scott and Brad at the back.

“But the one lapse in concentration has cost us and when you are chasing a game then you are susceptible to concede a second.”

This afternoon’s battle of the Pools will not be easy for Dave Jones’s side.

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Hosts Blackpool are England’s form team – the Tangerines are unbeaten in eight matches, a sequence of four wins and four draws which has fired Gary Bowyer’s side to eighth in the League Two table.

And the Bloomfield Road playing surface is difficult, a factor Pools did not handle well when they went down 3-1 at Newport in the first away match under Jones.

“By all accounts, the pitch is not fantastic,” said Amond.

“But we have the experience of playing at Newport so we may need to change the way we play a bit.

“It’s a challenge we are looking forward – Blackpool are a very good side.

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“You don’t go away to a team like Plymouth and win the way they did without being a good side.

“They beat us here on Boxing Day and I feel we owe them.”

Pools will be roared on by more than 1,400 fans at the seaside and supporters, who have not purchased a ticket, can pay on the day at Bloomfield Road.

The blue and white army are taking advantage of admission of £5 for adults and £1 concessions.