Dave Challinor explains how Stockport loanee Richie Bennett has taken the pressure off Luke Armstrong at Hartlepool United

Dave Challinor says new Hartlepool signing Richie Bennett has helped take the pressure off Luke Armstrong following the former’s hat-trick against Wealdstone.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Bennett joined Pools on loan from Stockport until the end of the season, yet The Hatters, who are also pushing for promotion from the National League, do have a recall clause option in the deal after 28 days.

The 30-year-old has scored five times in his four games for Pools and became the club’s first player to bag a hat-trick since Roy O'Donovan in 2010.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bennett started alongside Armstrong in this month’s 2-0 win over Notts County, yet the latter started on the bench against Wealdstone.

Richie Bennett has scored five goals in four appearances for Pools (Credit: Chris Booth | MI News)Richie Bennett has scored five goals in four appearances for Pools (Credit: Chris Booth | MI News)
Richie Bennett has scored five goals in four appearances for Pools (Credit: Chris Booth | MI News)

That ended a run of 24 consecutive league starts for Armstong since his loan arrival from Salford in December.

When asked about Bennett after the Wealdstone match, Challinor said: “He’s done really well in terms of getting his goals. The way we play, we create a lot of opportunities by getting the ball into good areas, as has been the case with Lukey too.

“If you get yourself in those areas, you’ll get chances. The difficulty is putting the ball in the back of the net but he’s done that really well and got himself a hat-trick ball.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s good for him personally and it’s allowed us to take Luke out of the firing line for a game and if the Weymouth game is moved then it gives us 10 days to mentally and physically refresh him because he’s so important for us moving forward. We haven’t had the chance to give Luke a rest until now.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Hartlepool United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor