Hartlepool United Ladies give departing manager Andy Stuart perfect send-off with 4-1 victory over Norton & Stockton Ancients

Hartlepool United Ladies gave departing manager Andy Stuart the perfect send-off with an emphatic victory on a emotional day.

Pools thrashed title-chasing Norton & Stockton Ancients 4-1 in their final game of the campaign which was also Stuart’s last in charge after he took the decision to step down.

The Ladies secured a third-place finish with their most powerful display of the season at Dyke House to the delight of their departing manager who will remain as chairman next term.

Stuart said: “I couldn’t have asked for any more.

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“After six years in charge the girls promised me they would deliver and they didn’t let me down, every single player was brilliant.

“It’s been a difficult, emotional day because I have had lots of messages from people wishing me well.

“I have took a long time putting this team together and we have a good relationship – I think that showed when they ran to celebrate the second goal with me.

“Everything comes to an end though; a new man will come in and we’ll support him.

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“This team is very talented so I hope he can deliver on the goals I will be setting him next season.”

Caitlin Bates converted a penalty after just two minutes, Jess Dawson make it 2-0, Bates added a glorious third for her 26th of the season and seven minutes before the break and Jade Pye added the fourth.