Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor explains why Gavan Holohan and Luke Armstrong were taken off early in 3-1 win over Wealdstone

The pair played 68-minutes before being taken off as Pools led 3-0 against Wealdstone with Armstrong opening the scoring before Rhys Oates and Nicky Featherstone extended the lead in the second half.

Jacob Mendy pulled a goal back for The Stones with 15-minutes to play but Pools were table to see out the win.

Although Armstrong got on the scoresheet once again to take his tally to six goals in six National League games for Pools, manager Dave Challinor felt the striker could have scored more.

“Sometimes it’s not a difficult game and goalscorers make it look easy by being in the right place at the right time,” said the Hartlepool boss before explaining why he brought Armstrong off.

“It’s a great habit to have and for us, getting him off was the quickest thing we could do because we need to make sure we keep him right.

"He came off and Sweens [first team coach, Antony Sweeney] said he looked like a man who had left a couple of goals out there because he could have quite easily scored more.”

Prior to the game, Holohan was Pools’ joint top scorer on five along with Armstrong, but he couldn’t add to his tally on Saturday afternoon.

He scuffed wide from close range in the first half before shooting straight at the Wealdstone goalkeeper when played through one on one prior to his withdrawal.

"It was the same with Gav to be fair and he felt like he should have scored,” Challinor added.

"But he’s important to us and he’s on four bookings so the last thing we wanted was for him to pick up a silly booking and miss the game on Tuesday [at Halifax].

"As for Luke, he has been terrific, he’s enjoying himself and scoring goals which is what he wants to do.

"He’s back home in the area where he’s from with his family, a big family it is too! He’s reaping the rewards for that and we are too.”

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