Ben Killip reveals how he deals with mistakes - and how Hartlepool United have benefited

Ben Killip believes he has matured as a goalkeeper – and Hartlepool United are reaping the benefit.
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The 25-year-old admits it can feel like the ‘loneliest place to be in the world’ when a goalkeeper makes a mistake that leads to a goal but Killip insists he has learned to deal with it thanks to his experience.

And he believes he is a better goalkeeper for it, sticking to his usual game and not looking to do something out of the ordinary to prove he is a good keeper.

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Pools had a weekend off but return to action this weekend, with the club currently second in the National League table and chasing promotion back to the Football League.

Dave Challinor.Dave Challinor.
Dave Challinor.

Pools travel to Weymouth on Saturday.

Killip, on dealing with mistakes, said: “If you lose a game and it’s your fault as a keeper then it’s the loneliest place to be in the world.

"I think I struggled with it earlier in my career but as I’ve got older and played more games, I’ve learned to deal with it a lot better.

"It’s one where you’ve just got to deal with it and move on and look at it after the game.

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"While the game is going on, there’s nothing you can about it.

"You don’t have to make up for it or doing anything to try and prove you’re a good goalkeeper which is something I’ve been guilty of in the past.

"As I’ve got older and play more games, I’ve matured a lot more in that sense,” he told BBC Tees Sport.

Meanwhile, there has been little transfer activity this month but Dave Challinor has made tying Jamie Sterry, 25, down until the end of the season a ‘top priority’ this month following some impressive displays.

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The former Newcastle United defender feels he still has a lot more to offer.

“It’s nowhere near my best,” Sterry insisted. "I put pressure on myself to improve but I’ve only played seven games this season so I’ve got so much more to give.

"I’m learning how the team play because it’s obviously hard coming into a new team part-way through the season and I’d only trained twice before my first game."

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