'It gives us a great platform' – Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor discusses 4-0 win over Stockport County and two red cards
and live on Freeview channel 276
Pools go into Christmas right among the play-off places as another Luke Armstrong brace along with goals from Rhys Oates and Ryan Johnson saw Dave Challinor’s side claim a deserved three points.
And after a difficult run of results in the National League, the Pools boss feels the win could prove to be a crucial one going into a busy run of matches.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It was an important game for us because we know we’ve got a tough run of games going into the new year,” he said.
“The games here at home are crucial for us so to win comfortably against a top side is a massive confidence boost for us but we’ve got to build on it.
"We need to start showing a consistency with our results and back up tonight’s result with another result on Boxing Day.
“Hopefully it gives us a great platform, the table is all over the place at the moment but from a player’s perspective or a fan’s perspective, it’s a lot nicer looking at the table and seeing your name up at the top end.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAsh Palmer and John Rooney were both shown red cards for Stockport, who sat a point above Pools in the table ahead of the match with three games in hand.
On the dismissals, Challinor added: “It’s hard to say for the first one [Palmer]. He doesn’t mean to do it but it was dangerous so it’s a tough one.
"I’d be disappointed to be on the receiving end of it. The second one [Rooney], we all know what was said to the official and I don’t think it was the bad language, I think it was questioning the integrity of the officials.
“But regardless of the sendings off, we got ourselves deservedly in front 11 v 11.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"When they went down to 10 we became a little bit edgy but we responded brilliantly at the start of the second half and effectively put the game to bed.
"From then on it was a very enjoyable evening, the one slight criticism I can have is that we didn’t win by more goals!”