Hartlepool United

Hartlepool United
Hartlepool 2-4 Sheff Wed (aet) Sheffield Wednesday secured promotion to the Championship as they overcame 10-man Hartlepool after extra-time. Jon-Paul McGovern's six-yard strike put the Owls ahead before Eifion Williams equalised with a far-post shot. Jon Daly headed home as Wednesday fell behind but Steve MacLean levelled from the spot after Chris Westwood was red-carded for a foul on Drew Talbot. The Owls made the extra man count and Glenn Whelan drilled in from 18 yards while Talbot stroked in their fourth. Wednesday had quickly put their rivals on the back foot at the Millennium Stadium and midfielder Whelan made a forceful run through the Pools defence before side-footing a bouncing ball just high. James Quinn was influential in the early stages and released Chris Brunt, who only had Dimitrios Konstantopoulos to beat but shot straight at the keeper. Craig Rocastle then dragged a shot wide and Lee Peacock's near-post shot from McGovern's cross was smothered by Konstantopoulos as the Owls failed to turn their superiority into goals. Humphreys (right) was up against his former club Hartlepool suffered a setback when Thomas Butler was forced off injured and had to be replaced by Williams. Joel Porter had their first shot on target when he chipped high before striker Adam Boyd was also given a sight of the Owls goal only to see his snapshot go wide. But Wednesday finally made their dominance count when McGovern put them ahead on the stroke of half-time. Rocastle played a one-two with Peacock before pulling a ball back from the byline for McGovern to force home from six yards. The lead did not last long though, as Hartlepool pulled level shortly after the break, with Williams stealing in at the far post to drive in a long throw. Pools gained confidence from their equaliser and were a different proposition in the second half and they took the lead after 71 minutes. Gavin Strachan whipped in an outswinging free-kick which substitute Daly powerfully headed in at the near post moments after coming on. But Hartlepool's joy quickly turned to anger when Chris Westwood was dismissed for a foul on Talbot and MacLean drilled in the resultant penalty. Williams then flung himself in front of a Brunt shot late on before the match went into extra-time. It took just three minutes for Wednesday to regain the lead as Michael Nelson failed to clear a long ball and Whelan stole possession before arrowing in a shot. In the last seconds of the game Talbot rounded Konstantopoulos to put the result beyond doubt. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Nelson, Westwood, Robson, Butler (Williams 31), Barron (Craddock 61), Strachan, Porter (Daly 70), Sweeney, Boyd, Humphreys. Subs Not Used: Provett, Tinkler. Sent Off: Westwood (81). Goals: Williams 47, Daly 71. Sheff Wed: Lucas, Bullen, Heckingbottom, Wood, Alex Bruce (Collins 77), Alex Bruce (Collins 77), Whelan, McGovern, Brunt, Rocastle, Peacock (Talbot 77), Quinn (MacLean 77). Subs Not Used: Adamson, Adams. Goals: McGovern 45, MacLean 82 pen, Whelan 94, Talbot 120. Att: 59,808 Ref: P Crossley (Kent).

Scott puts brave face on defeat
Hartlepool caretaker-manager Martin Scott put a philosophical face on his team's League One play-off final loss to Sheffield Wednesday in extra-time. "It was exiting," he said. "We would have loved to have won but I am so proud of the players. "It just wasn't our day. Things went against us as three players came off injured and we had a player sent off. "Sometimes it goes like that but I cannot fault the players for how they have worked for me." He added: "I'm disappointed but you have to look at the bigger picture. This club is going forward. Yes, it's one step at a time but we are a force to be reckoned with now. "If we can keep these players together we will have a good time next season."

Provett set to stay at Hartlepool
Hartlepool goalkeeper Jim Provett has withdrawn the transfer request he submitted in April. Provett, 22, asked to leave Victoria Park after losing his first-team place to Dimitrios Konstantopoulos. A statement from Hartlepool's owners IOR read: "IOR fully supports Jim's decision and accepts the withdrawal of his request for a transfer. "We would like to wish Jim a successful future at Hartlepool, where we are very confident he will do well."

Istead signs Hartlepool contract
Hartlepool midfielder Steven Istead has signed his first professional contract with the Victoria Park club. The 19-year-old joined Hartlepool three years ago and last season became a regular member of the first-team squad, making over 50 senior appearances. "I have been a youth-team player on the fringes for the past three years and now there are no excuses any more," Istead told Hartlepool's website. "I'm a professional player and I'm determined to establish myself."

Shepherd denies Carver exit claim
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has rejected claims that academy director John Carver has left the club. Carver, who has been linked with the vacant manager's job at Hartlepool, had reportedly resigned from his role. "John is on holiday and the report of his supposed resignation is news to me," Shepherd told the club's website. Carver took the academy director job in September last year after being relieved of assistant manager duties when Graeme Souness joined the club.

Newcastle academy role for Roeder
Former West Ham boss Glenn Roeder has been appointed the new Academy manager at Newcastle United. Ex-Magpies skipper Roeder has been given the job after the club's youth set-up was restructured and will take up his post next month. "I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity," he told the club's official website. Roeder's appointment comes after former first-team coach John Carver's departure as Academy director. Roeder recovered from a brain tumour in 2003 but was later sacked by West Ham as they slipped out of the Premiership. He made 219 appearances in Newcastle's defence after signing for £120,000 from QPR in December 1983. He became a crowd favourite at St James' Park and has retained his affection for the club since departing for Watford at the end of the 1988-89 season.

Pools set to step up manager hunt
Hartlepool chairman Ken Hodcroft is set to begin the process of finding a permanent successor to Neale Cooper. Cooper quit as manager before the final game of last season's league campaign and current caretaker Martin Scott guided the team to the play-off final. "I told everyone to take a holiday then we can get cracking when we come back on Monday," Hodcroft told the Hartlepool Mail. "It is something we have got to start taking action on."

Scott named as new Pools manager
Hartlepool United have named Martin Scott as their new manager on a permanent basis. The 37-year-old former Sunderland left-back had been caretaker boss of Pools since Neale Cooper left Victoria Park at the beginning of May. Scott led the side to the League One play-off final where they lost out to Sheffield Wednesday in Cardiff. He joined Hartlepool as youth team coach before stepping up to reserve team manager in the summer of 2002. Scott said: "This is the right time for me and I think the chairman has made the right decision. "We know how far the club has come in recent years and it is important that we keep moving forward and progressing. "I was very naive when I first came to the club but I have learnt and I am not afraid to admit that. "I have learnt to think like a manager and although I have things to still improve on I am really excited to get this chance. "I know the players will be looking forward to next season and they know the standards I wull be expecting of them will be really high."

Westwood rejects Hartlepool offer
Hartlepool defender Chris Westwood has rejected a last-minute offer from new boss Martin Scott and left the club. The 28-year-old says the decision is down to personal and family reasons. He told the Pools website: "It's been one of the hardest decisions I've made. Hartlepool has been home for six years and I have never had any problems. "But the choice has had to be made and it's been heart-wrenching. I feel like my heart has been ripped out but hopefully things will work out."

Agnew leaves Leeds for Hartlepool
Leeds United coach Steve Agnew has resigned from his position to become assistant manager at Hartlepool. Agnew's successor at Elland Road is likely to be brought in quickly, with manager Kevin Blackwell admitting he has a shortlist of names. Blackwell told BBC Radio Leeds: "I will be bringing another coach in and I have two or three people in mind. "The fact that two of our coaches have moved on recently shows how highly the staff here are thought of in the game."

Wilkinson signs pro deal at Pools
Young central defender Neil Wilkinson has signed his first professional contract with Hartlepool. The 19-year-old impressed in the youth and reserve teams last season and he told the Pools website: "Thankfully the club have seen something they liked. "Some people say I have not got many tricks but what I have got is passion for the game and the desire to make it. "It's not solely about ability, it's about having the heart for it and I will show it when I get my chance."

Scott ready to make new signings
New Hartlepool boss Martin Scott said he is ready to make moves in the transfer market to strengthen his side. Scott said he was keen to bring in new faces after Pools defender Chris Westwood left the club. "I am disappointed we lost Chris, but you have to respect his decision - now we have to look at ways to replace," Scott told Hartlepool's website. "We are looking to improve the squad and in my opinion the players I am looking at will improve this squad."

Walsall confirm Westwood capture
Walsall have confirmed that Hartlepool United defender Chris Westwood will be joining them. Westwood will officially join the Saddlers on July 1 when his contract with Hartlepool expires. The 28-year-old central defender rejected an offer by Hartlepool to extend his contract in order to move to a club nearer his midlands home. Former Wolves defender Westwood made almost 300 appearances for Pools in a six-year stint at Victoria Park.

Hartlepool sign Bluebird Bullock
Attacking midfielder Lee Bullock has moved from Cardiff to Hartlepool on a free transfer. The 24-year-old, who joined the Bluebirds for £75,000 from York 12 months ago after a loan spell, is Pools manager Martin Scott's first signing. "We're very pleased, Lee gets box to box and can score goals," Scott told Hartlepool's website. "He's big and strong and will improve the squad. There was lots of interest from other clubs."

Scott aiming high with Hartlepool
Hartlepool boss Martin Scott insists he will not "lower his standards" as he bids for promotion next season. Pools lost last season's play-off final to Sheffield Wednesday but Scott - who was confirmed as boss on 18 June - says he expects even more success next term. "Our aim is to win League One. I'm not saying we'll do that, but that is what we'll aim for," he told BBC Sport. "I'm not lowering my standards for anybody. I have high standards and I aim to go one better than last year." Pools' new boss had a turbulent start after taking the top job at Victoria Park on a caretaker basis following Neale Cooper's surprise exit on 4 May. He oversaw his side's final league game of the season, a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth which saw them qualify for the play-offs at the expense of their south coast rivals. Hartlepool then saw off Tranmere in a penalty shoot-out in the play-off semi-final before the heartbreak of losing 4-2 in extra-time to Wednesday at the Millennium Stadium. "Both the club and I have learnt so much from that weekend and the atmosphere and everything that goes with the play-offs," said Scott. "I'm really comfortable in the job. I've always wanted to progress in my career and I'm just pleased I've got the opportunity." Scott admitted he was disappointed when he missed out on the job to Cooper at Hartlepool two years ago. "I felt I was ready for the job. I went for it but didn't get it then," added Scott. "I was initially disappointed, but you reflect and realise it was the right decision. I wasn't ready then, I'm ready now and I'm looking forward to it. "We have our own way of doing things here, we feel it's the right way of doing things, and we'll continue to do them."

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