Hartlepool United 0 Norwich City 2

Aug 30 2009 Sunday Sun

Pools’ passing was out of sorts from the off, as they gifted possession to the visitors in the early stages.

It set the tone for a flat afternoon from Turner’s charges.

The opening goal came when Paul McVeigh peeled off to take possession from a short free-kick.

He worked into the penalty area and fed Jamie Cureton.

Keeper Scott Flinders saved his shot, and the home fans must have thought the chance was gone when the ball fell to Nelson with his back to goal.

But he took off to spectacularly volley into the net, in front of the Town End fans who used to laud him.

Pools only chance came when goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who Norwich signed on loan from Newcastle on Friday, pushed out an Antony Sweeney shot.

The ball fell into the path of James Brown, but the substitute turned and could only fire into the crowd.

That aside, it was a quiet day for Forster, who played at Victoria Park only two weeks ago for Bristol Rovers.

But Pool then went two down. From a Ritchie Jones corner, defender Jens Berthel Askou powerfully headed away to set up a classic counter attack.

Three passes later and the outstanding Stephen Hughes was on hand to sweep the ball into the net from 16 yards.

“We have had a hard month, a hard start to the season, but we move on from it,” said Turner.

“Everything that went wrong in terms of selections and decisions went wrong today.

“Our bench is looking a lot stronger and we prepare for Oldham on Friday straight away.

“We take the plaudits from how we played against Burnley last week and we take the downside from this performance as well.

“Now it’s about how we react on the training ground.

“We have honest lads here who are disappointed and they will pick up.”