Hartlepool United saw their perfect start to the campaign end with a narrow 2-1 defeat against National League rivals Sutton United. Lee Clark admitted his players failed to show the real Hartlepool United as they struggled through their first loss of the year at the G라.
The head coach opted for four changes in the lineup, with former Middlesbrough youngster Nathan Fisher handed his first league start in the place of the injured Max Merrick. Neo Ecclestone and Nathan Sheron came in for Jay Benn and Chris Popov, while Corey McKeown earned a start as a reward for his winning goal in last weekend's victory over Aldershot Town, replacing Jack Nolan.
The hosts made a positive start and found their reward just before the midway point of the first half. Temi Babalola found his way beyond Reiss McNally to send a shot past the helpless Fisher. Things worsened for Clark just before the half hour mark when Sutton doubled their advantage. Emmanuel Osadebe rose above a crowded area to send a header into the net after Pools failed to deal with a long throw-in.
Corey McKeown reduced the arrears ten minutes before the break. He seized possession high up the pitch before producing a cool finish to make it two goals in as many games for the former Spennymoor Town winger. There were chances for an equaliser throughout the second half as Will Harris and Jamie Miley sent efforts over the bar, and Chris Popov went close when he rose to meet a Miley corner in the final minute. Pools kept pushing throughout the closing stages, but the hosts held firm to claim all three points.
Following this result, Hartlepool United sit 5th in National League, 6 pts, 2W-0D-1L from 3 games, with recent form LWW. They remain 3 points behind leaders Southend in the title race. Current top scorer Michael Dacosta has 0 goals in 2 appearances.
"It’s frustrating, disappointing and I don’t think we showed the real Hartlepool United," Clark told BBC Tees when assessing the performance. "We didn’t show our real selves, identity we built up in pre-season. Our pressing game wasn’t at its best out of possession and our quality when we had the ball, that final pass, that final shot, the cross, that final action wasn’t great today so we are on the end of a defeat.\
