Hartlepool United (0-5)

Hartlepool United 0-5 Milton Keynes Dons
Dons turned in their best performance of the season to thrash Pools 5-0 in an outstanding performance that saw them applauded off the pitch by the few home fans still in the stadium at full-time.

There were two team changes from the side that narrowly lost to Burnley a fortnight ago. David McCracken and Luke Chadwick both took the field with Luke Howell and Sam Baldock dropping to the bench.

There was controversy in the opening minutes when MK earned a corner which Jason Puncheon delivered into the box where Aaron Wilbraham’s shirt was clearly being pulled. Astonishingly, the referee and his assistant failed to spot the offence and play was allowed to continue. The home side never got the ball clear and Stephen Gleeson crossed towards the edge of the area where Dean Lewington headed the ball on neatly for Jermaine Easter who confidently slotted past Scott Flinders with four minutes on the clock.

Dons were rampant in a brilliant display which made a mockery of their recent poor results. Easter nearly claimed a second goal on 19 minutes when Danny Woodards set him up but he drove the ball wide from a tight angle. Nevertheless, the second goal was only on hold and it duly arrived on 22 minutes. Lewington slipped Chadwick away down the left and his low ball was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Gary Liddell.

The 123 away fans could barely believe what they were seeing and Chadwick should have made it three with 26 minutes played. The chance came after Flinders and Anthony Sweeney got in a right mess as they decided who would deal with a long ball from Puncheon. Chadwick pounced on their indecision and found himself with an open goal albeit from a very tight angle and his shot unluckily came back off the post.

The half-time interval did nothing to resolve Pools defence problems and Flinders inexplicably failed to cut out a long ball on 50 minutes allowing Chadwick to head goalwards. The keeper’s blushes were saved by the covering Liddell who was on hand to clear.

MK maintained the pressure and sealed victory following an outstanding passing move after 54 minutes. Gleeson picked out Chadwick with a neat pass from the edge of the area and the wideman looked up, spotted the arriving Peter Leven and pulled the ball back for the Scotsman to side-foot home.

That looked liked job done and manager Paul Ince introduced both his new loan signings with Andros Townsend replacing Chadwick on the hour mark and Mark Randall swapping places with Leven seven minutes later. Striker Sam Baldock, who committed his long-term future to the club in midweek, was brought on for Easter with 15 minutes remaining, the striker blotting his copying with another booking to leave one away from incurring a two match ban.

All the substitutes played their part with Townsend in particular catching the eye with blistering pace and a willingness to run straight at his opponent. The on loan Spurs was involved in both the other goals. Firstly on 77 minutes he bi-sected the home defence with a clever ball on for Baldock was easily slotted past Flinders. Then with eight minutes remaining drove powerfully forward before passing to Wilbraham who laid the ball into the path of Puncheon who struck home from 20 yards out.

Ratings

Gueret-6 Biggest test was to try and keep warm
Woodards-7 Always looking to get forward and boost the numbers in midfield
McCracken-7 Strolled through this one and never tested
Doumbe-7 Strong and positive always attacked the ball
Lewington-8 Had a hand in two of the goals, looked back to his best
Puncheon-8 Never gave the ball away, a master-class in passing and moving
Gleeson-8 Got forward a lot more than usual, excellent user of the ball
Leven-8 Like Lewington, much improved and a nice goal as well
Chadwick-9 Now at full fitness and easy to see how he’s played in the Premiership
Easter-8 Played on the right of midfield, showed good awareness and touch
Wilbraham-7 Up on his own but held the ball well

Substitutes

Townsend-8 Sensational debut. This boy is a real crowd pleaser.
Randall-7 Used the ball well and will be pressing hard for a starting role
Baldock-8 Another goal to strengthen his claims for a starting berth

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