Barnsley 2 Hartlepool United 2

I don’t quite know where to start today, so in no particular order here we go.

The match officials were an absolute joke, I know we say it time and time again, but the three clowns out there today were at best poor. The referee booked Austin for a shoulder to shoulder challenge which left Pools Shuker writhing about on the floor in agony, and as usual, as soon as a card is shown his apparent injury disappears (after a good cuddle from the ref). Shuker was involved in another incident, with Lumsden minutes later, when both were retreating for a thrown in to be taken, both were tussling and jostling for position when Shuker dodged an imaginary elbow./fist/slap around the face. The referee, from all of 25 yards away had obviously seen this incident despite him being unsighted and gave Lumsden a red, presumably for violent conduct. And as for the offside decisions, when are these people going to understand the offside rule, everyone else in the ground (even 3 years olds ) have a better knowledge than the two assistant referees. Officials like those three today have no part in professional football, not even Sunday league (although the thought of him giving a red card to a player hung-over on 12 pints from the previous night (could be O’Callaghan) seems pleasant enough).

The second Gripe is aimed at Betsy, and no it’s not because he missed the penalty (although action replays quite clearly show the Hartlepool keeper managing to tie his boot laces and still save the weak effort from Betsy). No the main reason for the moan was that throughout the match the rest of the team had backs to the wall attitude, Betsy did not make one single challenge throughout the match, sure he back-tracked but what is the point in standing off your man by 4-5 yards. It seemed obvious from the start that Betsy was not up for this match.

On the plus side Barnsley showed a lot of character and fight to get a point (could have been 3- could easily have been none). Stallard continues to look like the target man we have been missing since Shipperley (thanks for the Blades drubbing by the way) left. Nardiello again continued to chase everything and scored a fine goal to cap it off, and judging from his reaction, really does want to contribute to the team (Betsy take note). But the most praise has to go to home debutant Marlon Beresford. He could not be blamed for either of Hartlepool’s goals, but for him, they could have had 3 or 4.

Thodarson made 2 changes to the team, bringing in Neil and O’Callaghan for the suspended Ireland and absent Handyside (presumably injured). The reds had the ball in the net on 23 minutes only to be ruled out for offside. Hartlepool then took the lead on 27 minutes when Williams free headed a ball past Beresford.

The second half started with a bold change from Thodarson, subbing the booked Austin for Rankin, changing to a 3-4-2 formation, with Rankin dropping in on the left of midfield. The reds were soon level on 56 minutes when Nardiello shot home from O’Callaghan’s well weighted free kick. Barnsley then spurned the chance to take the lead when Betsy missed a penalty on 60 minutes.

Hartlepool then took the lead again on 68 minutes when Mark Tinkler fired in from close range.

The reds made the second substitution of the night bring on Haywood for the tiring Crooks; it immediately paid off as Haywood rose highest to nod home from Neil’s cross.

We have once again failed to win at home, it’s a worrying trend that needs rectifying if we are to push for a play-off place, so Mr Ridsdale lets give Mr T(fed up with trying to spell his name all the time) the tools to finish the job, his signings have all been good so far (apart from Carson) and lets get some more players in.

Up the reds!