Hartlepool United's Lewis Alessandra say team comes first despite hat-trick

Lethal Lewis Alessandra helped himself to a hat-trick for Hartlepool United '“ but insisted that 90 minutes of fitness was the key success from the friendly win at Guisborough Town.
Padraig Amond (left) and Michael Woods (right) congratulate Lewis Alessandra on his first goal. Picture: HUFCPadraig Amond (left) and Michael Woods (right) congratulate Lewis Alessandra on his first goal. Picture: HUFC
Padraig Amond (left) and Michael Woods (right) congratulate Lewis Alessandra on his first goal. Picture: HUFC

Alessandra played down his treble in the 6-0 win at the King George V Ground last night, when he also proved his worth with his play alongside fellow frontmen, Billy Paynter and Padraig Amond, who were also on the scoresheet at the Northern League club.

“It’s nice to hit the back of the net and no-one would turn up their nose to a hat-trick,” said the 27-year-old.

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“But last night was more important fitness-wise and getting the 90 minutes under our belts, because the season is starting to creep up on us.”

But last night was more than just a training exercise – Pools performed much better than they did at Livingston on Saturday, when they drew a blank.

Craig Hignett’s side could have scored more than six, though that may have been harsh on their hosts.

“We played some good stuff and created a lot of chances,” said Alessandra, who scored the second goal at the North Yorks ground before tucking the ball away neatly twice in the closing minutes.

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“OK, the opposition, with no disrespect to Guisborough, is not going to be the level we are going to face in the league, but we played well.

“It was nice to get goals which, if we’re looking at ourselves critically, we’d not been doing in the last couple of games.

“Obviously on Saturday we had a goalless draw up at Livingston, so it was good to put that right.

“For myself, I could have had more, because there were other chances.

“I feel really good, it was the first 90 minutes, but I’m really looking forward to the season starting.”