Watson makes it a real family affair

First up, there was three-year-old Callum Watson leading out Hartlepool United as mascot. And he proved a lucky mascot as dad Gordon - in front of the watching Watson clan - thumped home the goal that took Pool to top spot in Division Three.

But it's his new family which is really capturing the interest of Pool supporters.

Because Watson is becoming a father figure to the players at Victoria Park.

No-one at Pool has the will to win and the determination to succeed as the striker hailed by many as one of Pool's finest.

And it's that personal passion for the game Watson is using to fire up Pool as they set the pace in Division Three with 13 points from six games.

A regular feature for Pool since Watson's arrival is a pre-match huddle. Driven by Watson, he takes time to drill that winning mentality into the players he feels often don't believe in themselves enough.

His message, however, must be getting through because after a dogged display, the four-goal leading scorer, decided the performance was worthy of another huddle in front of the 492 fans who travelled to the fabricated Kassam Stadium.

Watson, now getting his reward for the dark days of the late 90s when he fought to overcome an horrific leg break, said: "Callum was our lucky mascot this week and it makes up for last time. We lost 1-0 to them at home last season and were rubbish when he led us out.

"Everyone was there watching on Saturday - the missus, daughter, son, father-in-law, brother, brother's girlfriend, the Watson family! So yes, it was nice to score in front of them.''

And he added: "The huddle at the end was new, something different, but it was warranted. I just told that lads 'it was the worst you have played, but it was the best'. It proved to them they can come away from home, not play well, win 1-0, and come away top of the table.

"You don't have to be pretty and silky. If you go away and keep a clean sheet and score one it is good enough. We will score goals."

With Watson in the team, that is a certainty.

No other player on the pitch could have scored that goal on Saturday; you have to wonder how many players in the division are capable of such a strike.

Picking the ball up 30 yards from goal and the situation looked innocuous. So Watson beat a defender to open things up and as no-one came towards him unleashed a ferocious drive which fizzed off the pitch and beyond keeper Andy Woodward.

"To be honest, I didn't see it go in again,'' he said. "But it was one of those strikes when I knew it was in as soon as I struck it. It wasn't going anywhere else but the net.

"I took it down on my chest, went past a defender and no-one came up to me, so I thought 'thank you very much, I'll have a go from here' and I did.

"The keeper wasn't going to get anywhere near it.''

Watson, 18 goals from 32 starts last season, now has four from six games this season and said: "Now I've got four goals early in the season and this time last year I wasn't even at the club yet.

"When did I come last season? September, October wasn't it? So now I'm four ahead already on what I got last season and touch wood I won't get injured and I'm a lot fitter than I was last year.

"I'm enjoying it here so much - you can't help but enjoy it when you are top of the League!''

The last time Pool were top of the table - other than after a couple of games like they were under Keith Houchen in 1997 - was 1957 when Fred Westgarth's side topped the Third Division (North).

You tend to think that this team won't be too far away from the top on more than a few occasions this season.

Pool's last away defeat was at Kidderminster on March 2. That 3-2 defeat at Aggborough was nine games and six months back.

This win wasn't pretty but it was as effective as you are going to see.

The first-half was a quiet affair. Watson's effort aside, Chris Westwood saw a header pushed off the line and Pool keeper Antony Williams was quick off his own line to deny lively Manny Omoyinmi.

Pool didn't create a great deal, a few half chances and crosses into the danger area aside.

Paul Smith was replaced by Tommy Widdrington and showed he still has some way before full fitness is achieved after rarely troubling Scott McNiven, probably the worst full back he will come up against this season.

After Watson's goal, Oxford had plenty of possession and a few chances but there was no way through the defence.

Turner switched to five at the back with 20 minutes to go and the defence, with Graeme Lee and Westwood outstanding, stood firm. Keeper Williams made three fine saves to preserve the clean sheet.

And Watson added: "We are doing all the right things on the pitch. Apart from Macclesfield when we were absolute rubbish - and no-one can say anything else, we were rubbish - we are coming away from home, not conceding, getting points and we've got a togetherness.

"The whole 23 players at the club are together - not just whoever is playing on a Saturday.

"I thought this was the worst we had defended this season and yet it was the best we have defended. It was horrible.

"When we had the chance to clear the ball we kept giving it back. It was one of our worst performances, but one of our most important.

"We switched formations to cope with the pressure. We've got the weapons to beat teams. Everyone knows what to do and it is like pressing a button - then we change and fit into whatever we want to do."

Resilient Pool earn praise

SATISFIED Chris Turner was quick to praise his side's resilience after Pool ground out a single goal victory at Oxford on Saturday.

Pool's second away win of the season was earned thanks to a strong defensive display after Gordon Watson put Pool in front with a fierce drive from 25 yards.

"It wasn't our best performance, that's for certain, but we showed the determination and spirit we needed to win the game,'' said Turner.

"We weren't playing well, but we hung on. The defence did well and the attackers created good chances. Our general play wasn't as good as I would have liked, but we got the result we needed.

"We changed to five at the back and it's pleasing when we can change so easily like we did. We had to see if we could hang on to the lead. I know we can defend well and that's what we did. In the end they resorted to using long balls and that was comfortable for us.''

The win put Pool on top of Division Three and Turner joked: "It's certainly better than being bottom like we were last year.

"It's nice to have the points on the board so early. It took us a long time to reach 13 points last season.

"Pre-season went well for us and we have carried that on into the new season. We've now got something to build on and I know we will still get stronger in the weeks and months to come.

"Now we want to get to 20 points as soon as possible. We are at Swansea on Saturday; they lost at home this week to York so hopefully they will be on a bit of a downer.''

And Turner added: "I don't think the goal was worthy of the game.

"But that's Gordon Watson for you. We were right behind it and the ball was moving all over the place.''

Pool have top spot on goal difference over York.

The Minstermen continued their revival under new chairman John Batchelor with a 2-1 win at Swansea - Pool's opponents on Saturday.

Lee Bullock drilled the visitors into a 30th-minute lead but David Moss looked to have stolen a point for the Welshmen with his powerful header after 75 minutes.

Peter Duffield had other ideas though and, after being hauled down in the area by Paul Reid, dusted himself down to smash home the winner from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go.

Rushden & Diamonds suffered a miserable trip to Cambridge, going down 4-1 to slip to third place - Tom Youngs scoring twice.

Pre-season title favourites Hull again slipped up at Boothferry Park. Leyton Orient took the lead through Ciaran Toner. Dean Keates equalised 19 minutes later to claim a 1-1 draw for Jan Molby's side.

Simon Weatherstone headed an equaliser for Football League newcomers Boston three minutes into injury time to claim a 1-1 home draw with Bury.

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