Hartlepool United v Sutton United RECAP: Tom Crawford strike earns Pools a point as winning run comes to an end

Hartlepool United were forced to settle for a point at home to Sutton United ending their three game winning run.
Hartlepool United came from behind to earn a point against Sutton United. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Hartlepool United came from behind to earn a point against Sutton United. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Hartlepool United came from behind to earn a point against Sutton United. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Pools fell behind inside three minutes at the Suit Direct Stadium when Joe Kizzi went unchallenged to head home Rob Milsom’s in-swinging corner.

And it led to what would be a sluggish opening 45 minutes from Graeme Lee’s side as they struggled to reach the levels of recent games.

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As it was, it was Sutton who forced the initiative and might have doubled their lead but for some instinctive defending from Reagan Ogle to block Omar Bugiel’s strike.

Graeme Lee may be forced into changes this afternoon. (Credit: Will Matthews | MI News)Graeme Lee may be forced into changes this afternoon. (Credit: Will Matthews | MI News)
Graeme Lee may be forced into changes this afternoon. (Credit: Will Matthews | MI News)

Ogle was one of three changes Lee was forced into with Jamie Sterry and Joe Grey missing out through injury as David Ferguson was replaced through illness.

Ogle and Zaine Francis-Angol took on the roles of fullbacks as Lee stuck with his 4-3-3 system.

Newcastle United loanee Joe White came in for Grey while there was also a return to the bench for Gavan Holohan.

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And Ogle wasn’t the only one with some last ditch defending as Neill Byrne did equally as well to deny Donovan Wilson.

Pools came close to an equaliser themselves when Luke Molyneux latched onto a loose ball from Omar Bogle but his first-time strike came off the post and out for a goalkick.

Lee’s side did improve in the second half and were rewarded early through Crawford’s composed finish inside the area as he found himself unmarked from Francis-Angol’s cross to lift into the roof of the net.

But neither side were able to do enough to force a winner as it ended all square at the Suit Direct Stadium.

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Hartlepool United 1-1 Sutton United RECAP: Tom Crawford’s first goal of the season earns Pools a point

Key Events

  • Tom Crawford equalises for Hartlepool
  • Joe Kizzi heads Sutton in front
  • Hartlepool United XI: Killip, Ogle, Byrne, Odusina, Francis-Angol, Featherstone ©, Morris, Crawford, White, Molyneux, Bogle
  • Subs: Bilokapic, Liddle, Hull, Holohan, Shelton, Fletcher, Carver
  • Sutton United XI: Bouzanis, Goodliffe, John, Ajiboye, Bugiel, Randell, Eastmond ©, Kizzi, Milsom, Wilson, Smith
  • Subs: Nelson, Wyatt, Davis, Beautyman, Dundas, Korboa, Boldewijn

That’s all for today everyone as Hartlepool United share the spoils with Sutton United.

Tom Crawford’s first goal of the season cancelled out Joe Kizzi’s headed opener as Pools’ winning run comes to an end.

But Graeme Lee’s side remain unbeaten in seven in the league now heading into Tuesday night’s game with Colchester United.

And that’s where we will see you next as we bring you all the action from the Jobserve Community Stadium.

Thanks for joining us, enjoy your weekend.

Graeme Lee has provided an update on Hartlepool United striker Mark Cullen admitting the striker could leave the Suit Direct Stadium.

Lee reacts to Sutton draw

Graeme Lee has given his reaction to Hartlepool United’s draw with Sutton United.

“Result wise it was probably a good result in the sense of the fixtures and the games we’ve had,” said Lee.

“Would we have taken 10 points in the last four games? Of course we would have. But I was very disappointed with the way we started the game and the first half performance.

“I felt as though we were second best all over the pitch and we didn’t stop their threats.

“We went through the set plays and the goals they can score from set plays so to concede early on from that was very frustrating.

“Half time couldn’t come quick enough to get into them a little bit and try and gee them up and then you hope for a response which I felt in the second half we got.

“We dealt with things a lot better. They’re a good team so to come back and get the result shows a bit of character and belief.”

Our Pools writer Joe Ramage shares his views on Hartlepool United 1-1 Sutton United

“I think a draw was about the fair result in the end.

“Pools improved in the second half, not that that would have taken much as they were flat throughout the opening 45 minutes.

“It was a poor goal to concede so early in the game which gave the visitors something to hang onto and frustrate Graeme Lee’s side.

“Luke Molyneux hit the post with a flash of inspiration in what was otherwise a forgettable half for the home side.

“But they did up things after the break and got themselves level with a cute finish from Tom Crawford who stressed in midweek his need to contribute more in the opposition area.

“And that’s how things remained as neither side really did enough to force the issue and take control of the game to claim all three points.

“As it is, Pools will probably reflect on it as a decent point given their heavy fixture schedule of late coupled with the enforced changed Lee had to make.

“The winning run comes to an end but they remain unbeaten in seven which is good going heading into Tuesday night’s trip to Colchester United.”

Initial reaction from the Suit Direct Stadium

It’s all over at the Suit Direct Stadium as Pools have to settle for a point with Tom Crawford’s equaliser cancelling out Joe Kizzi’s first half header

Timi Odusina awarded the fans man of the match

There will be four minutes of added time

Fletcher sees Wilson jump all over the back of him but no freekick is awarded

Today’s attendance is: 5,487 (75 Sutton)

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