Sad week at Victoria Park capped by defeat

Days after the death of former chairman Harold Hornsey and a little over a week after club stalwart Frankie Baggs passed away, Pool slumped to a sad home defeat.

After two immaculate and respectful periods of silence in memory of the pair, Pool started the game like a team still hurting.

Two goals down to the relegation-threatened visitors, it was only after Adam Boyd - one of the few remaining at the club from the Hornsey era - pulled one back that Pool looked anything like the team they really are.

They spent the second half on top, but Brentford had something to hold onto and Pool were chasing the game.

Skipper Micky Barron, sidelined with a stomach strain, looked on from the sidelines as his side suffered.

They've also suffered in the past week and the defender, who first moved to Pool on loan from Middlesbrough in 1996 during the prime of Hornsey's reign, admitted: "It's a very sad time for us all. We were all at Frankie's funeral on Thursday and then, when we got back to training, we found out about Harold.

"To be honest, quite a few of the newer lads didn't know of him, so I had to explain the role he had and how he saved the club and now everyone realises how important he was.

"It's difficult for everyone, especially the office staff who have been here a while and really get to know people.

"When two people so important as those pass away it gets to everyone. I thought the minutes of silence before the game were a nice touch and we formed a guard of honour for Frankie at his funeral and we will do the same for Harold.''

He added: "Harold put a lot of his own money into saving the club and we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him. He then made sure the right people took over from him and that's a nice legacy to be left.

"I was explaining to my wife who Frankie was and he was the one who always made everyone feel welcome and put a smile on your face.

"They will both be sadly missed.''

As the pair looked on from the great football stadium in the sky, they saw their team slip to what could be a costly defeat.

Pool have eight games left - six against teams going for the all-important top six, one against relegation-threatened Notts County and another at Rushden, who, by the way their season and club is crumbling away, could be in a relegation scrap.

Five of those games are at home and it's Pool's home form which is pegging them back. Eight wins on the road; just seven at home.

For a team whose home record has stood up to the best over the last few years, it's surprising to discover the extent of their home malaise.

Barnsley ended their 28-game unbeaten run on Boxing Day and Pool have taken only eight points from a possible 24 at Victoria Park since. In the same period, they have chalked up 17 from 24 on the road.

And while the next two games are against Brighton (away) and Luton (home), two teams just above Cooper's side, it's Bournemouth and Wrexham to follow.

Four games and four results which will render the last four games either vital or turn them into end-of-season run-outs.

Pool missed Barron on Saturday, with Chris Westwood shunted to right back, the rock solid Westwood-Nelson partnership was broken up and the defence is unbalanced.

Brentford played with all the zest and energy of a side out to impress a new manager.

Martin Allen had his side fired-up and they were quick to close down, spent all day running into spaces and off the shoulders of the Pool defence, and got their rewards.

Two minutes in and Steve Hunt ran at the defence, Nelson stood off and Jay Tabb raced across the line and behind the covering Hugh Robertson to pick up the ball and lash it high beyond Provett.

The shaky nature of Pool's defending wasn't helped when Nelson hobbled off with an ankle injury. Mark Tinkler slotted into the back line comfortably, but that was at the expense of his strength in midfield.

But Pool were two-down when they conceded a soft goal. Tabb's corner was steered away from goal, Michael Dobson was left alone to head at goal and the ball apologetically rolled over the line.

Minutes later, Adam Boyd - again so influential - curled home from the edge of the area to get Pool back into the game.

Boyd was outstanding, just like the previous week, and Cooper's hopes that the penny has finally dropped could be realised.

Chances came as Pool chased the game.

Robertson had a couple of trademark free-kicks which tested keeper Alan Julian, Boyd went close and Darrell Clarke almost scored, but it wasn't to be.

And at the other end, Jim Provett produced another fine double reaction save to keep Pool in the hunt.

Going to Brighton on Saturday might not be everyone's cup of tea - they have won 14 times from 19 attempts at their athletics track that passes for a football ground - but Pool will prefer to play them away rather than at home right now.

Result: Hartlepool United 1 Brentford 2.

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