Dave Challinor explains why Nicky Featherstone is on penalty duty for Hartlepool United this season

Pools claimed a 2-1 victory at Aldershot Town at Victoria Park with Featherstone breaking the deadlock from 12-yards after being assigned to penalty duties for the campaign.

Last season, Liam Noble, Josh Hawkes and later Gime Toure were on penalties over the course of the campaign. Out of the six penalties taken last campaign, Hawkes’ effort at Aldershot last October was the only effort not to find the net.

But with none of last season’s penalty takers still at the club, manager Dave Challinor had a decision to make.

And after Rhys Oates missed Pools’ only penalty during pre-season, it was Featherstone who stood out as the obvious choice.

“I looked at our squad and thought who would have me sitting most comfortably if they were taking a penalty for my team,” Challinor said.

"Feaths was the clear one and I spoke to him a couple of weeks back and told him about it then.

“I had put a message on the group chat about socks or something daft like that and he was the first one to reply at 7:10 in the morning so I knew he was up and I phoned him and said if he fancied taking penalties for us this season and he was all over it, so that was that.

“In terms of technical ability in the group, his delivery is second to none and I was confident he would score and he’ll continue to be our penalty taker this season.”

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