Improving Hartlepool United cruised to a comfortable victory over Fulham this afternoon – and they might easily have won by more than a two-goal margin.
The Cottagers had never visited the Victoria Ground before and, following this dismal defeat, they won’t want to come back in a hurry. After an even first half that was short on clear cut chances, two goals in six minutes gave the home side a precious three points. Brian Honour blasted home Hartlepool’s first goal in 254 minutes after John Tinkler had robbed Fulham captain Mark Newson of possession on the edge of his own area and the unfortunate Simon Morgan helped the ball into his own net after Steve Fletcher sprinted clear of the away defence down the left flank and steered a shot past Jim Stannard.
Substitute Nicky Southall almost added a third with some silky skills but a heavy touch cost him a clear sight of goal as he prepared to pull the trigger. This performance was all the more impressive as the hosts had a number of players operating out of position due to their injury crisis. Fulham were flat and timid, offering very little as an attacking force throughout.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Hodge; MacPhail, McKinnon, Nobbs, Tupling, Tinkler, Olsson, Honour, McCreery (Southall 68), Dalton, Fletcher. Subs (not used): Gabbiadini.
BOOKED: Honour.
GOALS: Honour (62), Morgan (o.g. 68).
FULHAM: Stannard; G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Newson, Onwere, Scott, Brazil, Cole (Cobb 70), Haag. Subs (not used): Nebbeling.
BOOKED: Scott, Newson.
REFEREE: M. Peck (Kendall).
ATTENDANCE: 2,999.
