Hartlepool United 3-1 Barrow RECAP: Luke Molyneux inspires come-from-behind win for Pools over Barrow

Hartlepool United earned three points for the first time since early December as Luke Molyneux inspired a come-from-behind win to see off Barrow at the Suit Direct Stadium.
Luke Molyneux scored twice as Hartlepool United came from behind to beat Barrow. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Luke Molyneux scored twice as Hartlepool United came from behind to beat Barrow. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Luke Molyneux scored twice as Hartlepool United came from behind to beat Barrow. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Molyneux scored twice in 12 minutes before January signing Omar Bogle grabbed his first goal for the club to extend the lead at half-time.

Pools had trailed in the game after John Rooney scored a spectacular goal from range early in the first half.

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The former Stockport County man spotted Ben Killip off his line and tried his luck from all of 40 yards and was able to find the top corner as Killip watched on in despair.

Joe Grey in action as Hartlepool United host Barrow in League Two at the Suit Direct Stadium. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Joe Grey in action as Hartlepool United host Barrow in League Two at the Suit Direct Stadium. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Joe Grey in action as Hartlepool United host Barrow in League Two at the Suit Direct Stadium. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

It stifled what had been a bright opening from Graeme Lee’s side who started on the front-foot in a change of system.

But Pools weren’t behind long as Molyneux found time and space on the edge of the area from Joe White’s pass and was able to shift the ball onto his left foot before firing low into the bottom corner, beating Paul Farman at his near post.

And the former Sunderland striker was at it again soon after when he once again found himself in that pocket of space over on the right side of the final third.

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This time he skipped inside and curled from 25 yards beyond Farman into the corner in almost a carbon copy of his strike against Charlton Athletic in the EFL Trophy quarter-final.

And a resurgent Pools added to their turnaround just before the break to stun Barrow.

Molyneux was again involved as he collected a reverse pass from Jamie Sterry but looked to have missed the opportunity when driving across the edge of the area looking for an opening himself before both he and Bogle looked to have gotten in each other's way.

But the ball eventually came to Bogle who cleverly shifted the ball onto his left and rolled into the corner through the legs of the defender.

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The second half became about managing the game for Lee and his side and they did so pretty well.

Killip was called into action in the closing stages to deny former Pools man Luke James when diverting his effort onto the bar as Pools ended a seven game winless run on home soil.

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Hartlepool United 3-1 Barrow RECAP: Luke Molyneux scored twice as Omar Bogle grabbed his first Pools goal to seal all three points.

Key Events

  • Omar Bogle scores his first goal for Hartlepool to extend the lead
  • Luke Molyneux puts Hartlepool in front
  • Luke Molyneux fires Hartlepool level
  • John Rooney scores from range to give Barrow the lead
  • Hartlepool United XI: Killip, Sterry, Byrne ©, Odusina, Ferguson, Morris, Crawford, White, Grey, Molyneux, Bogle
  • Subs: Bilokapic, Liddle, Ogle, Holohan, Shelton, Fletcher, Cullen
  • Barrow XI: Farman, Brown, Brough, Taylor, Glennon, Wakeling, Hutton, Amadi-Holloway, Canavan, Banks ©, Rooney
  • Subs: White, Jones, Gotts, Harris, Williams, James

Cullen straight into the action and almost forces an error from Brough

79 - SUB FOR POOLS

Bogle replaced by Cullen

Odusina caught out by Hutton but his low cross from the right is gathered by Killip

Morris has taken a knock after colliding with Banks

Former Poolie James on for Wakeling

Amadi-Holloway replaced by Williams

69 - CHANCE FOR MOLYNEUX

Grey does well to work the ball over to Molyneux who this time opts to go on his right in the area but he fires over.

But the freekick is wasted by Glennon who curls over everybody and out for a goal kick

Odusina penalised for handball after grabbing out for the ball when he thought he had been fouled by Amadi-Holloway

Great burst of pace from Grey to chase down Molyneux’s flick on but Farman is out just in the nick of time

Ferguson’s corner is flicked on by Byrne but catches Bogle out as the striker is left with his hands on his head. Half a chance for Pools there.