Pools extra time heroes

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WITH Gordon Strachan inside Victoria Park to cast an admiring eye over James Brown, the young prospect’s Hartlepool United teammates combined to produce the biggest Carling Cup shock around last night.

While the Celtic manager monitored Brown’s every move, it was another promising talent brought on as manager Danny Wilson’s cup card that turned out to be the match-winner.

After Joel Porter’s opener on the hour was cancelled out by the exquisite thinking from West Brom’s Robert Koren three minutes from time, David Foley finished off a quick move in the 11th minute of extra-time to edge Pools in front again.

And, after Richard Barker nodded in Matty Robson’s delivery four minutes later, Pools’ progress into the third round of the competition for the first time since 1974 was secured.

None of Danny Wilson’s crop were even born when Len Ashurst led his class through to the fourth round, where their cup run eventually reached its nadir at Villa Park.

But now Pools have reached the third round again, courtesy of the late, late goals from Foley - his 12th in six cup matches - and Barker, which left West Brom’s North-East managerial duo of Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus distraught.

Brown, born a little more than 13 years after the defeat to Villa in 74, was not heavily involved and it is likely that Strachan, along with the rest of the scouts in attendance to run the rule, will take another look.

But this morning, just days after tying the 21-year-old forward down to a three-year deal, it is not his talent worth noting, it is Pools heroics inthe Carling Cup.

The only change Wilson made was an enforced one.

With Willie Boland ruled out with the knee injury sustained in the defeat to Stockport on Saturday, the Pools boss had to tinker slightly.

Resisting the temptation to hand summer signing Alan Power his second start for the club, Antony Sweeney was given an opportunity to shine in his preferred midfield role.

And, after West Brom had penalty claims waved away when striker Luke Moore went down under a challenge from Michael Nelson, it was Sweeney’s replacement at right-back who was instrumental in the first decent chance.

Jamie McCunnie’s clever pass behind the West Brom defence freed Joel Porter and, after the Australian brushed off Abdoulaye Meite, he guided his lob over Dean Kiely’s crossbar.

Nevertheless it was an indication that Pools would not be over-awed by their Premier League counterparts and they created the better chances in the opening half.

Sweeney, hovering outside the area, struck a wonderful volley that looked destined for the net until it hit Robert Koren flush in the midriff.

There was also a couple of decent efforts on goal from Andy Monkhouse but, with West Brom showing signs of settling, he wasted them both from inside the area.

Both Porter and Roman Bednar had goals disallowed at both ends for offside, but the growing influence of Slovakian Marek Cech cause concern for Pools.

Defensively the left-back was suspect. But on the couple of occasions he was allowed to run deep into the home half, the long-haired defender posed a threat.

After creating the chance that led to Bednar having a goal cancelled out, Cech’s quick feet paved the way for new £4.7m signing Borja Valero to strike just wide of Arran Lee-Barrett’s goal.

Lee-Barrett had been pretty quiet considering the opposition, although that changed after the restart. After denying Moore, a £3.25m buy from Aston Villa, the goalkeeper also thwarted Bednar.

But while West Brom had the better opportunities early in the first half, it was left to Porter to find the crucial breakthrough when he slid in from close-range to convert Liddle’s perfect centre.

But, with just minutes remaining, the lively Koren curled a terrific 25-yard drive into the top right corner that left Lee-Barrett with no chance.

But, in a frenetic half an hour of extra-time, Foley and Barker delivered the win the fans craved.