Exeter-Hartlepool United: Pools can be '˜force to be reckoned with'

Nicky Deverdics believes Hartlepool United are getting close to lift-off.
Nicky Deverdics hits his free kick just over the bar at Preston. Picture by HOWARD ROENicky Deverdics hits his free kick just over the bar at Preston. Picture by HOWARD ROE
Nicky Deverdics hits his free kick just over the bar at Preston. Picture by HOWARD ROE

Pools opened the League Two programme last Saturday on a satisfactory note when they drew 1-1 with Colchester at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium.

It was followed by a 1-0 defeat at Preston North End in the EFL Cup – but that display against the Championship has filled Pools with confidence.

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“We’ll be looking to build on that performance,” said Deverdics.

“If we do that, we’ll start putting the ball in the net and once it clicks properly, we’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

It needed a last-gasp Eoin Doyle goal to sink Pools but Deverdics says there was plenty in the performance to take into tomorrow’s trip to Exeter and the rest of the season.

“It was pleasing to see the way we performed,” said the midfielder, who was part of a much-changed side after boss Craig Hignett rested five players.

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“While it’s early doors in the season, we’ve almost nicked it at a good Championship club and that bodes well for the rest of the campaign.

“We know we have a good group of players and we’re confident in the squad we’ve got – if there are changes we can still put in a top performance which is great for the club.”

Deverdics sent Josh Laurent through with the score at 0-0, but the midfielder could not beat the keeper and while Lewis Alessdandra did get the better of Anders Lindegaard from Nicky’s pass, he was flagged for offside.

“It’s fine margins, isn’t it,” he said. “We didn’t get the decision for Lewie’s goal and then they nick it at the end on the break from our free-kick.

“We were unlucky, we could have won it.

“If we can match a team like that stands us in good stead for the rest of the season.”