Hartlepool rovers came to the YMCA in buoyant mood having swept everyone aside in there domestic league and cups last season and this season put the final nail in the coffin of county cup holders redhouse with a 5 1 thrashing in the first round, The Dolphin welcomed a record 19 players for a game and tough decisions were made in the team selection. Martin Jackson returned in goal, Butts Swindle, Pope with stephenson reverting to full back, Spence started on the right wing with captain Michael noble recalled Kris 'klitschko' Johnson and Danny Makin completed the midfield, Hope and Place up front. The pre match team talk focused on a clean sheet and a more disciplined start, GAME ON.... The dolphin were backed with a good crowd and they started very positive, the rovers team soon realised that there physical and persistant wreckless challenges wouldnt deter the dolphin team, and the dolphin boys were coming out on top in both the physical and technical play, and for the first time in SIX games the dolphin took the lead, dale spence went on a mazy run cutting in from the right hand side and played a great through ball, splitting the two rovers centre halfs, it looked as though the pass might have just had a little too much pace on it, but MARTIN 'GANDHI' HOPE, showed great determination and nicked the ball past the on rushing keeper. The ROVERS tried in vain to make any clear cut chances and there frustrations boiled over with a number of dangerous challenges punished with yellow cards, the dolphin on the other hand tried to play on the floor in the testing conditions, marc stephenson had a shot that hit the bar as did marc swindle, andrew place should have scored when one on one with the keeper but he hit it straight at the keeper. Place kept his head up and did score on the stroke of half time once again dale spence with the assist his pass and leading goalscorer place made no mistake firing in the bottom corner with his left foot from 8 yards. The SECOND HALF Rovers had the wind on there backs but were reduced to long balls with the dolphin forwards and midfield pressing the opposition into mistakes, the game should have been put to bed, and the next goal was always going to be crucial, and from no where the rovers pulled one back, the ball was sent into the area and a rovers player hooked the ball on and scored a wind assisted shot/cross straight into the top corner giving keeper Jackson no chance, two minutes later centre half Swindle was substituted with a nasty dose of cramp, in came Karl 'VIDIC' Adams, Adams physical and aerial presence nearly paid immediate dividends when a corner was swung in, the veteran centre back headed towards goal, but seen his effort cleaned off the line, the game was played out mainly in the Rovers half for the final ten, much to the dolphin management and fans relief, No chances and no final onslaught for the hard working Rovers lads. A great win and team performance, and after only two seasons in the combination league a place in the prestigious Durham minor cup final awaits for the Dolphin.
