Hartlepool United v Leyton Orient: Striker Rakish Bingham makes contribution to Pools

The striker has scored twice for Pools since boss Ronnie Moore made him a permanent signing in the summer.

It’s hardly a prolific record for the 22-year-old who scored the match-clinching second goal in the 2-0 victory over Morecambe on the first Saturday of the season and in the 2-1 defeat at Northampton last month.

Bingham told SportMail of his frustration that he has not scored more, but has faith in his ability.

And the Londoner is happy to be helping the team in other ways – there is no questioning his ability, pace and vision.

After having the proverbial “Weston Super” mare at Wimbledon, Bingham was given a breather against Cheltenham last Saturday in the FA Cup.

Moore went with his two leading scorers up front – seven-goal Billy Paynter and Scott Fenwick, who has found the net on three occasions.

The Pools boss envisaged using Bingham as an impact sub.

Moore probably did not expect to need to get the former Mansfield striker on in the first half, but when Paynter hobbled off with an Achilles problem five minutes before the interval, on came Bingham.

And what an impact. He soon had Pools going forward and, in first-half injury time, his perfectly-weighted ball to Kudus Oyenuga set up the winger for his first goal since joining the club.

After the break, Bingham tried to lay one on for Fenwick only for the Geordie striker to be a gnat’s fingernail away from connecting to a delicious cross.

“I believe I needed to help the team and try to change the game and I felt I did that,” he said.

“Of course, you always want to play, but I understood the gaffer’s reasons.

“I’ve had my fair share of games in the team, but if he felt that taking me out was the right thing to do in order to get a result then I totally respect that decision.

“I wasn’t sulking about it.”

In that regard, Bingham must be a manager’s dream and his honesty and modesty are very refreshing.

He agrees that his goals tally does not match his approach play.

“It’s a fair comment,” he admitted. “As a striker, you want to score goals and it’s frustrating when you go through times and they are not going in.

“I feel as though I have helped the team in many other aspects.

“My individual statistics, in terms of goals scored, are not what I would like.

“But I feel my work off the ball and creativity for other players has come into play.

“Generally, I’m happy with my development.

“I think, for future reference, I will be the type of striker who will get goals, slowly but surely.”

Given he has only just turned 22 and has pace to burn, you would back Bingham to be a success.

And wouldn’t it be great if he could find that spark on Sunday against high-flying Leyton Orient in front of the Sky Sports camers at Victoria Park?

It’s something of aderby for the Eastender, who is from West Ham, just a few miles down the road from Leytonstone.

Bingham is excited at the possibility of playing in front of a bigger audience than the 3,000-odd fans who populate the Vic.

“It’s the first time I’ve played Leyton Orient, if selected, and the first time I’ve been on Sky Sports,” he said.

“It’s a new experience to me and one I’m looking forward to.

“Obviously, these are the things you dream about.

“My ambition as a youngster was always to be a professional footballer and this is a stage in which you can showcase your skills, show people why you are a pro.”

And he hopes the opportunity to express himself to the nation and beyond will be shared by his team-mates and fans.

“It’s a good chance for me to show what I am made of individually, but not just me – it’s an opportunity for Hartlepool to demonstrate what we are made of.”