Hartlepool United 3-1 Barrow RECAP: Luke Molyneux inspires come-from-behind win for Pools over Barrow
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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Hide AdThe 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.
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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Hide AdThis 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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Hide AdThe 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
TEAM NEWS REACTION
Hartlepool Mail’s Joe Ramage gives his views on Graeme Lee’s starting XI:
“It’s certainly a positive selection from Graeme Lee.
“It feels like supporters have been wanting Pools to go with a back four in the league for some time now after plenty of success in the cups.
“Lee himself has suggested he has been keen to try the changed system and tonight is the night.
“Pools finished strongly at Selhurst Park on Saturday with Joe Grey and Joe White in particular making an impact and they have been rewarded.
“Luke Molyneux will start on the right of a front three and we saw what he is capable of from that position against Charlton Athletic recently with Grey on the opposite side of Omar Bogle who makes his home debut.
“It’s a solid looking XI from Lee and signals Pools’ intent to get three much-needed points here this evening.”
𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨
Graeme Lee will be without his captain, Nicky Featherstone as he continues his suspension for the red card picked up in the goalless draw with Exeter City.
On-loan Burton Albion midfielder, Bryn Morris, could continue to deputise after a solid debut at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Marcus Carver remains a doubt as he recovers from a groin injury picked up following the draw at Carlisle United which means Omar Bogle could be in line for a home debut.
Deadline day recruit Nicholas Bilokapic is available after being cup-tied against Crystal Palace.
Joe White came off the bench for his debut at Selhurst Park and may feature this evening.
Lee will have a decision to make as to whether he changes his system to the side who finished strongly against the Premier League side at the weekend or sticks with a 5-3-2 system.
Predicted line-up
A change in formation could be the way to go for Lee tonight as we predict a back four to start against Barrow:
Killip, Sterry, Byrne, Odusina, Ferguson, Morris, Shelton, Crawford, Grey, Molyneux, Bogle
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
Mark Cooper has warned Barrow AFC not to expect an FA Cup hangover from Hartlepool United tonight.
The Bluebirds head to the north east hoping to take further steps away from League Two trouble.
Hosts Hartlepool are back in league action after their impressive cup run came to an end at the hands of Premier League side Crystal Palace on Saturday.
And AFC boss Cooper has dismissed the idea that Pools could be feeling the after-effects of their physical and emotional exertions in the knockout competition.
“That would be nice – but I doubt that will happen, knowing their staff,” Cooper told the Mail.
“[Manager] Graeme Lee, who I know well, will ensure they will be right at it.
“We have to be at it again. To get results at this level you have to compete in every game.”
Read more here:
Don’t expect a Pools cup hangover, warns Bluebirds boss
Manager Mark Cooper has warned Barrow AFC not to expect an FA Cup hangover from Hartlepool United tonight.
𝙊𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡
Timi Odusina is hoping Hartlepool United can use their FA Cup showing against Crystal Palace as a stepping stone for the rest of the season.
Pools’ cup adventure finally came to an end with Graeme Lee’s side going down 2-0 to Premier League Palace but defender Odusina was satisfied with his side’s performance on the day and believes there are lots of positives to take into the remainder of the campaign beginning with tonight’s League Two clash with Barrow.
Pools still have plenty to play for in the final few months of the season as they look to solidify their spot in the Football League following last year’s promotion.
The club have enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run but also remain just one victory away from a trip back to the capital and to Wembley Stadium in the Papa John’s Trophy with Lee’s side set to face Rotherham United in the semi-final next month.
“I think if we perform the way we did in the second half on Tuesday we’ll give ourselves a right chance,” said Odusina.
“We’ve got to take that into the league and we’re still only one game from Wembley as well so, again, if we perform like we did here in the semi-final I think we’ve got every chance.
“So we can use this as a stepping stone for the rest of the season.”
Hello and welcome to the Suit Direct Stadium.
It’s matchday once again for Hartlepool United after their FA Cup adventure came at an end against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Graeme Lee’s side will hoping to kick-start their league campaign once more by securing their first three points since early December.
Stay here throughout the evening for all the latest team news and updates from the Suit Direct Stadium.