Jamie Miley left 'deflated' by Hartlepool United defeat at Boreham Wood despite wonder goal

Jamie Miley provided one of the moments of what has been a deeply disappointing season for Hartlepool United when he fired home a stunning, long-range effort in his side’s agonising 4-3 defeat at runaway National League leaders Boreham Wood.

Pools had battled their way back from conceding two first-half goals as efforts from Max Kouogun and Cole Deeming got Pete Wild’s side back on level-terms with the hour-mark approaching at Meadow Park. That set the scene for Miley’s big moment as the former Newcastle United midfielder scored from just inside the hosts’ half to put Pools in front for the first time in what was a pulsating contest.

There was to be late agony for Wild and his players after Zak Brunt grabbed an equaliser for the league leaders three minutes from time before striker Matt Rush snatched all three points when he struck the decisive blow deep in injury-time.

Miley described the away dressing room as ‘deflated’ in the aftermath of what had been a much-improved performance that failed to provide any reward.

The midfielder told BBC Tees Sport: “Everyone is gutted, so deflated, we have worked so hard throughout the game and that’s where we can get a bit better, towards the end, seeing the game out because coming to places like this, being three-two up with ten minutes to go, you need to try and hold on to it. Maybe a little bit too deep in the first-half. Once we got closer in the second, you saw what happened. We got the goals but I think the big thing for us is we need to start seeing games out.” When asked what Wild had said at half-time, Miley replied: “Just to get closer to them, go and give it a go because there were chances there for us and there was.”

‘I don’t think I’ll score a better goal’

Miley has divided opinion amongst some sections of the Pools fanbase during the early months of the season - but there can be no doubt over just how special his goal was in Saturday’s defeat. Few had expected the midfielder to try his luck from around 45 yards as the ball fell to his feet and there was nobody more surprised than Boreham Wood goalkeeper Ted Curd as the ball sailed over his head before nestling into the back of his net.

Miley described the memorable strike as ‘the best he’s ever hit a ball’ and revealed he was quick to tell his family about the best goal of his career so far in the hours after the game.

He said: “I just text all of my family in the group chat and said I don’t think I’ll score a better goal. The ball dropped to me and saw him off his line, he wasn’t off his line much but I thought I’d hit it and try my luck. It’s probably the best I’ve ever hit the ball and it dropped into the back of the net.”

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