Hartlepool United player ratings photo gallery: 'One of his best displays' - Two 9's as Pools hit the top with excellent display

Joe Ramage
·4-min read
Callum Cooke scored his first goal of the season for Hartlepool United in the 3-1 win over AFC Fylde. Picture by FRANK REID
Callum Cooke scored his first goal of the season for Hartlepool United in the 3-1 win over AFC Fylde. Picture by FRANK REID

It may be early days but John Askey’s side have made a fine start to the 2023-24 campaign and they demonstrated that further with a second successive 3-1 victory on home soil.

After a fairly even opening, Pools stepped up a gear to race into a two-goal lead thanks to Emmanuel Dieseruvwe’s header and Callum Cooke’s first goal of the season.

Askey’s side were a threat every time they came forward and might have added to their lead before being hit with a late sucker-punch on the stroke of half-time as Gold Omotayo reduced the deficit when his strike found a way through Joel Dixon.

Will be disappointed not to keep Omotayo’s effort out despite the power generated in the strike. Dealt with most other things reasonably well. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Will be disappointed not to keep Omotayo’s effort out despite the power generated in the strike. Dealt with most other things reasonably well. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)

But Pools weren’t to be denied as Dieseruvwe added his second of the game early in the second half as Askey’s men hit top stop.

And here is how Pools were rated:

Efficient display down the right. Saw what he’s all about again with another couple of brilliant driving runs infield. Smart ball into Wreh which led to Cooke’s goal. Tireless shift. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
Efficient display down the right. Saw what he’s all about again with another couple of brilliant driving runs infield. Smart ball into Wreh which led to Cooke’s goal. Tireless shift. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
Excellent display at both ends. Brilliant run beating three or four defenders before seeing an effort blocked. Showed great pace to cover up against Omotayo defensively and was involved throughout. Showed a good range of passing. Key role in the third. Took a knock late on but was able to carry on. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Excellent display at both ends. Brilliant run beating three or four defenders before seeing an effort blocked. Showed great pace to cover up against Omotayo defensively and was involved throughout. Showed a good range of passing. Key role in the third. Took a knock late on but was able to carry on. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
A loose clearance prior to Fylde’s goal but was otherwise assured and dominated defensively in the second half. Showed a calm head. Close when heading off target in the first half. Picture by FRANK REID
A loose clearance prior to Fylde’s goal but was otherwise assured and dominated defensively in the second half. Showed a calm head. Close when heading off target in the first half. Picture by FRANK REID
Omotayo just got in front of him for the goal but he put in another strong defensive shift. Headed plenty of crosses away well and, although a clean sheet continues to escape them, he has made a big impact in the defence. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
Omotayo just got in front of him for the goal but he put in another strong defensive shift. Headed plenty of crosses away well and, although a clean sheet continues to escape them, he has made a big impact in the defence. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
Two top class assists and showed why he is such a good player at this level. A threat going forward throughout and he forced Fylde into changing shape due to the space he was getting while doing his bit defensively. Is thriving as captain. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Two top class assists and showed why he is such a good player at this level. A threat going forward throughout and he forced Fylde into changing shape due to the space he was getting while doing his bit defensively. Is thriving as captain. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Set the tone early with a strong challenge on Fylde’s danger man Haughton and continued to develop in that midfield role. Started a lot of Hartlepool’s attacks. Comfortable taking the ball in tight spaces. Close not to get on the scoresheet. Helped win the midfield battle again on home soil. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Set the tone early with a strong challenge on Fylde’s danger man Haughton and continued to develop in that midfield role. Started a lot of Hartlepool’s attacks. Comfortable taking the ball in tight spaces. Close not to get on the scoresheet. Helped win the midfield battle again on home soil. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
One of his best displays in a Hartlepool shirt. Was busy and involved throughout the entire 90+ minutes. Really smart finish to double the lead. Timed his runs well all day from midfield and spread the play well from one side to the other. Had a hand in the first and a perfectly weighted pass for Ferguson in the build-up to the third. Top performance. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Started a little carelessly when found wanting in possession a couple of times but grew into things and produced another excellent performance and was the architect again for much of Hartlepool’s work even without the ball due to his clever runs. Might have done better when played in by Cooke. Can see the confidence growing in him. Picture by FRANK REID
Went off as a precaution early in the second half but did a very good job in the first half as a foil for Dieseruvwe. Great hold up play and touch into Cooke for the second. Could do with a goal just to boost his own confidence but another solid shift for his team. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Went off as a precaution early in the second half but did a very good job in the first half as a foil for Dieseruvwe. Great hold up play and touch into Cooke for the second. Could do with a goal just to boost his own confidence but another solid shift for his team. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
A match winner for Hartlepool. Had the bit between his teeth from the off chasing down lost balls and hassling the Fylde defence. Textbook header to open the scoring when finding space between the two centre-backs. Smart forward play for the second to hold his run. An excellent start to his Hartlepool career. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
A match winner for Hartlepool. Had the bit between his teeth from the off chasing down lost balls and hassling the Fylde defence. Textbook header to open the scoring when finding space between the two centre-backs. Smart forward play for the second to hold his run. An excellent start to his Hartlepool career. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
Brought on earlier than he might have expected and put in another good shift. Close when heading over from Cooke’s cross. Picked up a number of good positions across the forward line. Pushing for a start. Picture by FRANK REID
Brought on earlier than he might have expected and put in another good shift. Close when heading over from Cooke’s cross. Picked up a number of good positions across the forward line. Pushing for a start. Picture by FRANK REID
Came on for Mancini for the final 15 minutes or so and did his job well. More important minutes for him ahead of Monday’s trip to Chesterfield where he may see more involvement. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Came on for Mancini for the final 15 minutes or so and did his job well. More important minutes for him ahead of Monday’s trip to Chesterfield where he may see more involvement. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Late change for Seaman but did what he had to do with minimal fuss throughout stoppage time. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Late change for Seaman but did what he had to do with minimal fuss throughout stoppage time. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)