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

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)
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.

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

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.

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

60 - PENALTY APPEAL

Rooney sees his protests for a spotkick waved away.

Rooney had got the better of Byrne on the byline before going down in the area but referee Wright was having none of it much to the disappointment of Barrow boss Mark Cooper

Nonchalant chip from Crawford to find Grey. But he runs it out for a goal kick.

Almost a goal from nothing for Barrow as Hutton’s long throw lands at Canavan’s feet just yards from goal but with his back to goal the defender tries a cheeky backheel which trickles just wide of Killip’s post

Glennon’s cross from the left is headed dangerously away by Byrne but fortunately for Pools it doesn't come to Rooney

50 - YELLOW FOR BYRNE

Byrne is the first Pools player to go into the referees notebook

Molyneux and Bogle close to a really neat exchange there with Bogle trying a clever backheel back into Molyneux

Molyneux closes Brough down and is unfortunate his block goes out for a goal kick

Change for the visitors at the break as Taylor is replaced by Gotts

Join us shortly for the second half live from the Suit Direct Stadium