retired_embartl

Needing a break from the action awhile, Martin took charge of the Barnet away game, a spirited affair that ended up goalless, whilst Ryan flew to Paris for a couple of days. He took in the sights on offer, and on returning to his hotel, accidentally bumped into a fellow guest.

" Oh I'm sorr - er Je regrette Madame...er desole!"

"Vous etez anglais?"

"Er, Oui! oui I am. "

"Haha! So am I! Funnily enough I'm on a break here too - as I assume you are?"

" Oh. Right, ok. Yes that's true. Should have thought. I'm sorry I knocked into - not watching my step again."

" Oh please, don't be silly Mr - ?"

"Duff, Ryan Duff. And you?"

"Lugosi. Bella Lugosi! No not really. Just my zany sense of humour, Clara Danes is me, from Derbyshire, and yourself?"

" Oh I'm up at Hartlepool at the moment - I work in football. Listen - not that I mean to seem presumptuous but I arrived here on my own - I don't know about you, but I'd enjoy the company... would you like a drink tonight or have you plans?"

" Drinks would be fantastic, I'm all alone too. Say meet here at 8:30?"

"That'll do me grand. See you then. " And Ryan watched the 5"7 blonde bombshell turn on her 3 inch heels and walk majestically towards the lift - a sexier walk he had never seen, and the 34 year old man, who'd been single for the past two years couldn't stop smiling. What a day.

On the final day of February, Ryan returned a little later than planned, but he bore the face of a man not scarred by the pressures of lower league football management and of one who was carefree. It disturbed Martin, Geoff and Bryan but they didn't ask. There was a game that evening away to Rochdale and a good performance was needed to end thge mini winless run and get back into the play off spots. Instead they lost 2-1, fading very quickly after Tony Lormor had score a rare goal in the first half and the club were struggling to keep up the pace with the rest of the play-off pack.


Results:

Hartlepool 2 Cheltenham 0 (Kevin Henderson 20, Fortune West 34)
Port Vale 3 Hartlepool 3 (Walsh 47, Eyre 56, Widdrington 80; Fortune West 9, Jorgensen 58, Shilton 79)
Hartlepool 2 Brighton 1 (Boyd 69, Henderson 87; Carpenter 22)
Hartlepool 0 Middlesborough 5 (Whelan 28,39; Boksic 35,90, Gordon 72)
Hartlepool 1 Mansfield 2 (Stephenson 77, Greenacre 22,45)
Barnet 0 Hartlepool 0
Rochdale 2 Hartlepool 1 (Oakes 26, 42; Lormor 11)


10th in Division 3

retired_embartl

March 2001

" Oh come on Ryan, what did happen in Paris? You've been completely different since you got back, happy and that!"

" Well, I bumped into this woman see, another Brit, and we met for drinks, then met again for dinner, then I stayed on again for another dinner... and stuff. Anyway, none of your business. She's a Derbyshire lass, and you may see her fairly soon I don't know what the score is. She may have simply been looking for a holiday fling, I can't say, though we are keeping in touch."

"But it's not a fling for you is it?"

"No Geoff it's not - but I'm not getting my hopes up - and I have to apologise to the lads at the club - I haven't been myself lately, which is unprofessional of me."

"Balls to that Ryan, you need to unwind, you are allowed a personal life you know! It's not like you're a Jack Bauer CTU style agent where it might not be the smartest move. So you lost at Rochdale, you'll get it sorted it, and I've got twenty quid on you reaching the play-offs anyway."

"Only twenty Bry? Why not winning the play-offs? Yes I think we can, though I'm going to look for a few more players. Dunny's loan move has ended so we don't have him until the summer, but it does mean it frees up a loan option. I need to have a look around, maybe another keeper I'm not sure. Tony's transfer to Wolves fell through as Alan Miller didn't want to join us. To tell the truth Tony's going to have to work hard to get back into the side, I don't tolerate time wasters."

"What areas though, defence?"

"Maybe Geoff, we'll have to see - some of the lads are good but getting old, whilst the youngsters are not great just yet - plus they don't even act like proper footballers all the time. All these bloomin' parties, not in my day."

" Erm, Ryan? You're 34 and you were still getting drunk up until about 5 years ago. "

"That's different, I'm not an aspiring footballer like some of those. And some of those foreigners too, dammit - by heck they're not very English!"

" Um... you might want to read that last sentence back to yourself Ry."

"Oh sod off Geoff. You know what I mean. Silky skills but no hard graft. Tommy Tennebo - his contracts up at end of season. A few clubs have already offered for him. Shall I offer an extension? I don't know. Squad value - yeah he gives us that, but he's not great."

"What about the others then? You sold Tim."

"Haha that was fantastic, can't believe Kidderminster fell for that! Dear lord that makes me laugh. Ok, Endre Hansen is doing ok at the moment, and so's Kenneth - but he's Danish they've got that solid Viking spirit about them haven't they? They're not bad them lot."

" Right, well so who's up next for you then?"

"Halifax at home. I don't think we'll beat them but we'll give it a go - we need points."

"Well good luck anyway. Another pint?"

So it was that the Halifax match arrived. With the exception of Sam Shilton who was injured the side was generally the strongest available to hand, and it was the defenders who were by far the busiest in the first half as the struggling visitors desperation showed through but there was fortunately no score. In the second half there seemed to be more of the same until the last quarter when finally the hosts decided to start playing football in the Halifax penalty area - a cunning ploy that actually brought goals. Leo Fortune West bagged his 20th of the season, whilst Jerry Gill made a roving run to the far post to lash in an Ian Clark cross and seal 3 very undeserved points.

retired_embartl

Afterwards Ryan looked into extending a loan spell for Burton O'Brien before turning his attention elsewhere. The side had only a few days to go before another uninviting trip down to Scunthorpe, but Ryan found out that deciding to go this time proved a very fruitful journey as Hartlepool came away with a splendid 5-3 away win. The spectacle began in the third minute with the club's leading scorer Leo Fortune West ending a superbly crafted passing move that began with Jerry Gill. The lead was doubled 15 minutes later, thanks to a long solo run from Ian Clark, before the hosts finally began to play and reduced the arrears a few minutes later. However, the visitors responded swiftly, with teenager Adam Boyd stroking home a penalty after Gill had been felled in the area.

The convincing lead was bashed to pieces either side of half time as a complete lack of concentration brought the scores level as momentarily the initiative was with Scunthorpe. A substitute or three later and Hartlepool and regained the lead - with Paul Stephenson the quickest to react to a loose ball in the area. With the match on a knife edge for much of the match thereafter, it was a relief to see Chris Westwood finally secure the victory in the dying moments of the game.

An attacking display of the previous game, coupled with the defensive performance of the Halifax match would be essential for the match with Lincoln that followed. The visitors were well on top of the table and fairly certain for automatic promotion if not the title. Two suspensions and two injuries only made for a very easy squad selection. In front of a good crowd the home side did indeed put in a fiesty performance, as Ryan began to revel in his side's newfound consistency - a third win on the bounce - this was easily the most impressive even if the 3-2 scoreline suggest the defence could have performed better. A tough defensive battle early on provided the confidence and the stability for the players to push on in search of a goal and on 58 minutes Tony Lormor scored from a Fitzpatrick chip.

Though the side immediately conceded a goal, Ryan saw a bit of character in his side as swiftly afterwards the lead was restored through Lee Fitzpatrick and this steadied the boat a little. Lincoln were of course always dangerous, and when they equalised for a second time on 77 minutes Ryan would have settled for a draw, but impressively there was still more fight left in the tank, and Paul Stephenson, one of the side's top players won the match late on.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Third Division - Tuesday 20th March 2001********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2000/1 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Lincoln 37 13 3 2 41 15 7 7 5 39 29 70 2nd Mansfield 37 13 2 4 43 24 9 1 8 33 28 69 3rd Chesterfield 36 11 5 1 33 14 8 6 5 30 22 68 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4th Kidderminster 37 12 3 4 33 22 8 3 7 26 23 66 5th Hartlepool 37 12 2 5 32 18 7 3 8 29 29 62 6th Darlington 37 10 5 3 24 13 7 5 7 30 26 61 7th Rochdale 37 12 2 5 32 20 6 5 7 19 19 61 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8th Hull 37 10 2 6 37 24 7 6 6 19 20 59 9th Plymouth 37 11 6 1 33 20 5 4 10 35 43 58 10th Brighton 37 8 8 3 29 26 7 4 7 24 23 57 11th Carlisle 37 9 1 9 20 24 7 6 5 19 17 55 12th Orient 36 8 4 7 32 27 6 6 5 22 26 52 13th Southend 37 7 6 4 24 25 5 9 6 22 24 51 14th York 37 7 4 7 26 26 6 5 8 27 31 48 15th Scunthorpe 37 7 7 5 28 26 3 7 8 17 24 44 16th Barnet 37 7 9 3 23 18 4 2 12 18 30 44 17th Cardiff 37 7 5 6 32 26 4 5 10 21 31 43 18th Torquay 37 7 5 6 30 26 4 2 13 23 41 40 19th Cheltenham 37 9 5 5 33 31 1 5 12 16 36 40 20th Blackpool 37 8 3 7 23 20 4 1 14 15 36 40 21st Exeter 37 9 4 6 32 32 1 4 13 21 44 38 22nd Macclesfield 37 3 7 8 24 27 5 5 9 29 31 36 23rd Halifax 37 6 5 9 26 29 3 3 11 15 33 35 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24th Shrewsbury 37 4 6 8 15 25 0 5 14 9 39 23 </pre>

shannon2007

Looking good, deffo easier with the retro versions though

retired_embartl

Well I am in Division 3 for a start

retired_embartl

What followed was an astonishing 10 day break - Ryan hadn't seen anything like it before, what with the league's usual propensity for trying to kill all the players with an unforgiving schedule - so Ryan took all the lads out on club golfing day to maintain high spirits - their recent hard work certainly merited it. The only down side was Kevin's refusal to sign an extension to his rapidly expiring contract. The cheeky sod promised to do so if he lost the golfing competition, but of course he won it by a landslide. Ryan then offered him a better deal yet again, only with a very small minimum fee clause. There was no point losing him for nothing in the summer when a fee, no matter how nominal could be gained instead.

Upon returning to the training ground in preparation for the club's tough away tie at high flying Chesterfield , Martin didn't have great news for Ryan concerning Adam Boyd.

"The kid was out boozing last night on the town, and he only went and got himself arrested for drunk and disorderly didn't he?"

"You have got to be kidding me! Where was he and who was he with? More importantly what the f*ck did that little sod get up?"

"He was at a friend's 19th birthday - a house party not 20 minutes from here - and having consumed a variety of assorted beverages he and friends of his reportedly went outside jumping on neighbours cars, playing noise really loudly, shouting, and breaking windows. They even killed some kids cat."

"F*cking hell. Right, bring the ruffian in here, and close the door behind you!"

...

" You stupid, little arsehole! What in god's boll*cks did you think you were doing!"

"Sorry boss, it was an accident."

"Accident my f*cking arse! You killed a cat and caused what a few thousand pounds worth of damage?"

"Erm... yeah boss, sorry boss."

"Too late for that now isn't you complete moron! Well listen here, and listen close. I DO NOT TOLERATE party going, mambie pambies who's ego's bigger than their body. Consider this your one and only warning. You're young, and you have talent - I don't want to see that wasted - but one more step out of line and don't even bother turning up training again - you understand?!"

"Yes boss, sorry boss, won't happen again boss!"

"Right, I don't know whats going to happen with this court case, but whatever happens you're going to be in trouble - and you'll have to do a fair amount of community service at the very minimum. You do whatever you can to be Mr. Nice from now on - at least they might show some clemency later when you're found guilty!"

"Ok boss, sorry. Will do sir."

"Good, you can go now. Oh and Adam? I don't need to tell you that until I see some of this community action spirit, you're playing reserve football now ok? There's a good lad."

With that, Ryan left his office and began to rejoin the afternoon training session, the final warm up before the match on Saturday.

retired_embartl

Chesterfield had been on some good form earlier in the season but just recently there had been signs of choking, as Ryan and the side looked to capitalise at Saltergate. What transpired was a match decided by stout defending and luck. The hosts were the more buoyant of the teams early on, but being restricted to long range shots that sailed past each and every part of the goal, Martin Hollund was able to watch on comfortably, the one chance the hosts did have of breaking through the back line was wasted by poor finishing, an unusual trait for the league's 3rd highest goalscorers. It took time for Hartlepool to play their way into contention, but Ryan had patience - and this was rewarded by the only shot on target in the first half hitting the net, as the ever improving Endre Hansen slid in a loose ball in the 45th minute.

That timely boost, spurred the visitors on whilst causing the hosts to panic somewhat - as their continual inability to fire the ball anywhere near the target carried with it a great deal of frustration - and on 70 minutes the match was put out of their reach as the Man of the Match Chris Plummer despatched a penalty kick won by Leo. A 4th win on the trot, and Ryan's men seemed to be finding their stride at the perfect time in the season, now equidistant more or less between 3rd and 8th. The question now - was which way would they go?

Thereafter, there was a player heading out and one coming back as Burton O Brien's loan was extended, and the Norwegian midfielder Tommy Tennebo unsurprisingly deciding to move on having agreed a bosman deal with fellow play off candidates Rochdale and so Ryan dumped the player into the reserves. March continued to bring good news though as Kevin Henderson eventually did sign a new three-year deal to the relief of other members of the coaching staff and the players.

Though the striker hadn't scored as many as some would have hoped - his general all round play was still an asset to the side, and that came on the eve of another tough match, this time hosting Kidderminster , the current incumbent's of the third spot. Last time around it had finished 0-3 in favour of Ryan's men, but as is the way with Mr. Sod, and his insane sense of justice, when a team suddenly starts picking up form and becoming the favourites to win matches, is when they invariably start to falter.

Even Sam Shilton was back from injury for this one, as Ryan really began to fear the worst - their was only so much good news a side could ever be alloted in just one month and after 4 minutes Wayne Sutton had indeed given the visitors the lead. But fortunately this was about the time Leo realised he hadn't scored in two games, as the striker responded immedately, levelling the ties and then shooting Hartlepool into the lead on 28 minutes this time from an Endre Hansen cross. The home fans were loving the show whilst Ryan seemed a little stunned, though of course Kidderminster stepped up a gear in the second half and were easily the better side - but they still trailed for long spells thanks to Chris Plummer and Martin Hollund, but then it came as Ryan thought it might. On came the "useless" Tim Sperrevik against his old club and the jammy, jammy bastard equalised with 5 minutes to go off his left shin after a Dylan Kerr drive. Though it was credited to the latter, Ryan knew Tim would claim it. The git.

Still a point is not one to be sniffed at and Ryan was still happy - a draw against the 3rd placed side was still good, and 13 points from 15 all boosted Hartlepool's play-off chances. There was even time that night to see England defeat Finland in their World Cup qualifying group. No matter what he thought of Slippery Sven, Ryan would always support England till the end. Another week off was used to rest legs and focus minds on the final few games of the season - the so called "finishing straight".

On the last day of the month, with Bolton and Tranmere battling it out in the final of the much derided League Cup Final, Ryan's men were off to Macclesfield a side sitting second bottom of the league. They had no fear of relegation though as Shrewsbury were flipping awful but Ryan had always had problems trying to focus his players minds when it came to playing struggling sides, it was a mental issue and this was very definitely a potential party pooper for March. Changes were made to the starting line up - but again it proved worthless as the home side infuriatingly dominated from start to finish, as Ryan was pulling his hair out on the side.

As he prayed the dim-witted fools would survive goalless until half time, Garry Brady scored to hand the hosts the lead their pressure merited, and in the second half it got worse - as the visitors couldn't get a grip on the match whatsoever. Once Paul Blades saw red for a late challenge it was game over. Richard Barker and Alex Dyer completed the rout, as a woeful Hartlepool side got what they deserved.


Results:

Hartlepool 2 Halifax 0 (Fortune West 74, Gill 88)
Scunthorpe 3 Hartlepool 5( Robinson 25, Stamp 42, Calvo Garcia 49; Fortune West 3, Clark 19, Boyd pen 30 Stephenson 64, Westwood 88)
Hartlepool 3 Lincoln 2 (Lormor 58, Fitzpatrick 62, Stephenson 82; Battersey 59, Ramsay 77)
Chesterfield 0 Hartlepool 2 (Hansen 45, Plummer pen 70)
Hartlepool 2 Kidderminster 2 (Fortune West 6,28; Sutton 4, Kerr 86)
Mcclesfield 3 Hartlepool 0 (Brady 45, Barker 77, Dyer 90)

7th in Division 3

retired_embartl

April / May 2001

The penultimate month of the season did at least bring with it some good news, as Ryan himself was awarded the Manager of the Month Award, something the fans and Ken were keen to congratulate him on, and Martin and Ryan did at least take the positives from the loss at Macclesfield - there'd be no more bloody complacency in the last 6 games, with the side only 2 points off from 8th spot. Ahead of the first match of April with Darlington - it was time for a pub meal with Geoff and Bryan again.

" Hey what the hell happened at Macclesfield there man? You seemd t' fall part pretty easy there!"

"Ah Geoff it's their minds see. They've got results against the good sides, so when the play a bad side they can't be bothered to turn up see - it's so stupid, arrogant and idiotic I wish there was more I could to do punish them, aside from a slap on the wrist. I mean how can you go into a game thinking you've already won? It's pathetic. I'll be making some changes in the summer that's for sure!"

"Well if you go up this year I figure that'll be a necessity won't it?"

"Yep. However there's a long way to go before we get there - you could be an optimist and say we're only 5 points behind the top 3 slots, or a pessimist and say we're only 2 points clear. All I can say is that we have to focus on our results and then the rest will take care of itself. There's 6 tough games left, and I want 18 points from them. I think we'll get about 10-12 - whether that'd be enough I couldn't say."

"Well you've got a fit army at the moment, no real injuries anyway - and the transfer window's closed so no more rumours about your players?"

"You're having a laugh Geoff! No more rumours? Clearly you haven't got the mind of a journalist - and thank f*ck for that mind - see they'll print anything to sell papers - if they hear any piece of gossip no matter how mundane they'll blow it up all out of proportion just to suck in some sad bastard into buying their rag, now it's your round I think - and just a half for me, I got work to do later on.

"Right then Bry, how's the rock band coming along?"

....

It was football soon enough again and 6th placed Darlington were the visitors - it was a big game and though the result probably wouldn't cost either side a play-off place alone, a win would be a big boost to ensuring they finished their at the end of the season. An almost full house were therefore treated to one of the most one sided halves you are ever likely to see as Darlington obliterated an absolutely diabolical Hartlepool side to smithereens - it was only 2-0 at the interval but the visitors were made to look like galacticos by a pathetically woeful absymally poor home side.
Ryan was banned from taking the teamtalk at half time, what with the menacing 6 inch blade in his right hand, but there was a slight improvement in the second half as Hartlepool did manage to construct a few passes together. Towards the end of the half - shock horror- they even found time to of them to create a few goalscoring chances too - which was nice. They didn't go in though.

"You useless bastards!!!! What on earth was that! You call yourselves footballers? - You lot will be bloody lucky if you're anywhere near this club come next August - that was absolutely pathetic! Why have you stopped playing? First of all you were arrogant enough to think you could just turn up at Macclesfield - and you deservedly got battered - and now this is how you repay the thronging crowds for the support throughout the season? You're a f*cking disgrace! That's what you are! A weeks wages the lot of you - going to the community - at least this club will be doing something right, and if any of you lads know what's best for you, you'll get the hell out of my sight right now and be back in training first thing tomorrow morning - cross country running. 8.00 am sharp. Now p*ss off!"

The dressing room had never cleared itself so fast as a furious Ryan tried to cope with his ever mounting rage. Why were they playing so poorly? It wasn't him was it? These tactics had worked before! Darn it was a pain, but he'd have to recover swiftly. They had dropped out of the play-off races and that positive momentum in March had managed to vanish in a single moment. Paul Arnison had signed a 3 year deal before the game which was something - that lad did put in the effort- and he hadn't been one of the players subject to the wrath of the Duffer earlier, which offered some hope.

retired_embartl

Next up was a trip to Cardiff a side near the foot of the table, but they didn't show it as they outfought, outplayed and outclassed another inept Hartlepool side. Sam Shilton was responsible for all three of their goals, and Ryan wondered how on earth that cheeky sh*te could want a move to a bigger club - as far as he knew there weren't many big clubs in the Rymans League. Lee Fitzpatrick had briefly offered hope at the end of the first half but in reality Cardiff's lead was never seriously threatened as Ryan's promotion campaign was unravelling before his eyes.

Sitting in his office, with the same depressed look of resigning himself to failure this season, the phone rang and suddenly there was joy in his life again.

"Hey there, Ry! What you been doing? I haven't heard much from you in a while?"

"Clara!" Ah thank God! I've needed a sane voice around here! How are you? I'm sorry I haven't called recently - I've been under so much pressure, I I I -"

"Relax sweetie. I know - remember I do follow football you know! It's not all too good but it'll get better. You need not to be so stressed with the lads right now... I think it's time I popped up for a little visit..."

"Er yeah! That'd be great! You can come up whenever you like! Listen I'll give you directions -"

"Ssh, don't worry pet. I know how to get there---"

"You do, oh well that's great - got a time in mind?"

"How about... right now!"

"Eh?"

A loud knock on the door distracted Ryan further.

" I said, how about now?"

Another knock.

" Erm ok sure, but hang on a minute there's someone at the door - I just have to answer it! Ok?"

There's some laughter on the other end of the line. "Ok Ryan, you do that - you go open that large blue and green door!"

"How do you know... oh"

With the phone in his hand, Ryan had opened the door - and there she was. And she was beautiful, her hair flowing in the slight breeze, sweeping across her face, caressing her ears. The eyes so full of warmth, the figure so startling. Never had a denim top and bottom looked so good, let alone decent, on any person, but for her, and only her, it was sublime. The part opened jacket revealed a somewhat transparent silk undergarment. As she, closed the door, she held her arms out for a hug, that took Ryan a brief moment to awaken from his stunned expression and accept. She was here again. Fantastic. His worries had momentarily vanished as he clung onto her tightly, a little too tightly perhaps.

"What on earth are you doing here?"

"Surprising you. What does it look like?" I took a few days off from work to visit you. That's not a problem is it?"

"Hell no! I mean no it's no problem at all. Please, er, a coffee, tea?"

"No thanks I had one before I arrived, but if you've got any chairs that might be quite nice?"

"Er what flavour's tha - oh right. woops. yeah there's one next to the desk over there."

"So then, you need a bit of a change in the wind round here then don't we?"

"Yeah, but can't we forget about the football right now?"

"I wasn't talking about football..."

"eh?"

"You and me, haven't been in the same company for too long now right?"

"Yes."

"Hence the change in the wind."

"Ok. I understand. I think."

"Ryan, just shut up and come over here." And the light went out.

retired_embartl

Now, of course whilst it may have been easy on paper to say Ryan's job was easy - their last match was away at long-since relegated Shrewsbury but several experiences over the season had taught otherwise - leaving Ryan still fretting. Martin worked on the defence, Ryan the attack. It was imperative a win was gained - as though their goal difference was better than the three chasers, it was only marginal and a big win for one of those sides could swing it in their favour should Hartlepool only draw. Burton O'Brien returned to Blackburn before the game as his agreement stated and Ryan's already smallish squad suffered another blow.

With the tension filling the Gay Meadow air, Ryan could only pray - most of the fans there were Hartlepool fans - what with Shrewsbury only having pride to play for now. Radios were almost 10 a penny amongst the crowd as every goal around the country would be studied intently. 3 minutes in and the ball had beaten Martin Hollund - Chris Freestone had scored. Ryan sighed - than thanked the high heavens when he saw the linesman's flag - a let off. After a very nervy start, his side began to look a little more composed. On 28 minutes Kevin Henderson forced a corner. Lee Fitzpatrick took it - and James Bishop scored and this one did count! It was 1-0 and the sense of relief around the ground was very noticeable. Then news came in that both Plymouth and York were ahead to dampen celebrations a little. There could be no letting up yet - but 2 minutes later and Stephen Morgan had hearts in mouths as he too thought he had scored! But no - the very friendly linesman had ruled it out for offside and Ryan wondered if any of his colleagues had bribed the fellow. He hoped not - he wanted an honest victory. As the match entered stoppage time Lee Fotzpatrick's corner was tipped over by Tm Hart. The same player swung the ball in - and there HE was. Leo Fortune West scoring his 25th and possibly one of his most important goals yet. Ryan allowed himself a smile. They were firmly in the driving seat - and to lose it from here would be a disaster. Plymouth and Carlisle were tying now, York still the other winners.

Time for a calm second half. Ryan couldn't sit still as it began - Jamie Tolley crashing a ball against the upright as the home side seemed intent on destroying the party. Plymouth and Carlisle then heated things up by taking their leads back, and adding to them whilst York added to their lead. Just shy of the hour mark and Shrewsbury, the poor sods had yet another goal disallowed - this time for a foul on Martin Hollund who had actually just lost his footing in the muddy turf - but their luck was out and that was when Ryan and co knew they'd secured their places. The hosts didn't seriously threaten the lead any further - and now all Ryan and Martin had to do would be inspire their side for 2 and hopefully 3 more games.


Result:

[i] Hartlepool 0 Darlington 2(Nogan 3, Reed 29)
Cardiff 3 Hartlepool 1 (Nugent 42, Bowen 54, Greene 82; Fitzpatrick 44)
Hartlepool 1 Hull City 0 (Plummer 35)
Plymouth 3 Hartlepool 3(Phillips 8, Barlow 65,70; Henderson 13, Stephenson 45, Fitzpatrick 57
Hartlepool 1 Southend 1( Fortune West 19; Midgeley 44)
Shrewsbury 0 Hartlepool 2 (Bishop 27, Fortune West 45)


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Third Division - Sunday 6th May 2001********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2000/1 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st C Lincoln 46 15 5 3 51 20 10 8 5 49 33 88 2nd P Chesterfield 46 13 6 4 40 23 12 6 5 39 25 87 3rd P Darlington 46 13 6 4 31 15 11 5 7 41 29 83 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4th Pl Mansfield 46 15 2 6 52 30 10 3 10 43 39 80 5th Pl Rochdale 46 14 2 7 37 26 9 7 7 24 20 78 6th Pl Hartlepool 46 13 4 6 36 23 9 4 10 37 38 74 7th Pl Kidderminster 46 13 4 6 36 29 8 6 9 30 35 73 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8th Plymouth 46 14 7 2 48 31 6 5 12 42 51 72 9th York 46 12 4 7 36 28 9 5 9 32 37 72 10th Southend 46 12 6 5 36 31 6 10 7 26 27 70 11th Carlisle 46 11 3 9 29 28 9 6 8 24 24 69 12th Brighton 46 9 9 5 34 34 9 5 9 33 31 68 13th Hull 46 11 3 9 41 30 7 7 9 20 25 64 14th Orient 46 8 5 10 34 34 9 7 7 31 35 63 15th Scunthorpe 46 9 7 7 35 33 5 10 8 27 30 59 16th Cardiff 46 11 6 6 42 30 4 5 14 25 39 56 17th Macclesfield 46 6 9 8 35 33 7 6 10 33 35 54 18th Cheltenham 46 11 5 7 38 37 2 6 15 19 43 50 19th Barnet 46 8 10 5 28 23 4 3 16 21 41 49 20th Torquay 46 8 7 8 35 32 5 3 15 29 50 49 21st Blackpool 46 9 5 9 26 26 5 2 16 17 40 49 22nd Halifax 46 8 5 10 32 32 5 3 15 21 41 47 23rd Exeter 46 11 5 7 38 36 1 5 17 24 54 46 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------24th R Shrewsbury 46 4 7 12 18 33 0 5 18 10 46 24 </pre>