TEENAGE record-breaker David Foley yesterday put £7m Newcastle striker Carl Cort in the shade.
The Hartlepool United striker, who became Pool's youngest-ever player when he appeared in Monday's 2-0 win over Port Vale aged 16 years 105 days, netted in a 3-1 reserve win over the Magpies.
And while Cort lumbered around Victoria Park for 90 minutes, South Shields-born Newcastle fan Foley impressed as Pool cantered to victory.
He could have had a second goal, skipping past two challenges and homing in on goal only for Chris Carr to recover and clear.
Cort squandered a number of first-half chances, including a header against the bar from close range, as well as seeing a late effort chalked off for offside.
Foley gave Pool the lead when he collected Jermaine Easter's pass, took a touch and fired confidently past keeper Ben Smith.
Easter made it two with an angled effort that flew in and Adam Boyd put Pool three-up, beating the offside trap to net a low shot.
Cort pulled one back, tapping in from close range, after Anthony Williams saved Lewis Guy's shot.
First-year scholar Foley, who was on Sunderland's books between the ages of seven and 12, was replaced after an hour and Pool reserve team boss Martin Scott admitted: "It's been a big couple of days for him. He took his goal really well and he looked very sharp.
"We found him playing in Shields and got him down to play a few games for our under-16s. He did well and stepped up to the under-19s and again did well.
"He is only small, but he actually came back for pre-season bigger. We know he has a long way to go, but he is doing the right things so far.''
Foley played alongside Marco Gabbiadini for eight minutes on Monday - a striker more than twice his age.
Cooper likened Foley to Kevin Phillips after Monday's cameo appearance and added: "He played a practice match in training and when Kevin Henderson didn't make it, there was no worries about putting him in. He is a lot like Kevin Phillips in style.
"He makes great runs across the line and knows a trick or two. Playing with experienced players will help.''
Pool: A Williams, Bass, Craddock, Van Dommele, Brackstone, M Robinson, Arnison (Wilkinson 86), Sweeney, Easter, Foley (Appleby 59), Boyd. Subs (not used): Duncan, Wilkinson, Richards, Fox.
Newcastle: Smith (Collin 46), Brennan, Ramage, Carr, Quinn, Norton, McClen, Acuna, Marshall (Zola 76). Cort, Guy. Subs (not used): Taylor, Brittain, Gate.
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