Washington claim first win of season against FC Hartlepool

Washington came from behind to claim their first win of the season at home to FC Hartlepool on Tuesday night.

Having fallen two goals behind through Craig Linsel’s strike as well as a Ben Gibbon own goal, Washington came back into it and took the three points through goals from Aaron Duell, Dan O’Reilly and a stoppage time winner from Jack Docherty.

Upon kick-off, it was a lively start. Jamie Tumilty fired narrowly wide for FC within the opening two minutes, and then Washington had a couple of good chances through Desejado Da Silva. Firstly, he was denied by a good save from Lewis McDonald and then put the rebound wide, and six minutes later, the same man blazed over when released through on goal. He should have scored in truth.

In the 13th minute, the deadlock was broken, and it as FC taking the lead. The referee played a good advantage allowing FC to work the ball out to Tumilty. He crossed to find Linsel, and Linsel’s first time finish put the visitors ahead.

Two minutes later, a crucial defensive block from FC Hartlepool mounted a counter, and Linsel was released down the right. Linsel squared the ball to Ben Henderson, and his shot was crucially blocked to deflect it wide.

As the first half wore on, Flavio Silva blazed over when given a big chance for Washington, and then Tom Gavin shot over for FC Hartlepool.

McDonald was forced into a good save to deny a header from Washington’s Mason Burton 10 minutes before the break.

In first half injury time, FC Hartlepool doubled their lead. Tumilty curled a wide free-kick into the penalty area, and Washington defender Gibbon could only glance a header into his own net.

Early in the second half, as some fog came in, FC Hartlepool started well, and a couple of half chances sandwiched a big shout for a penalty when the ball appeared to strike a hand on the line, but the referee dismissed the claims.

In the 58th minute, Washington halved the deficit. The referee pointed to the penalty spot for a foul, and Luke Naylor was sin binned for protesting it. Duell stepped up and tucked the penalty into the net to give the hosts hope.

A sin bin is meant to be a temporary dismissal for 10 minutes, but the referee let Naylor back onto the pitch after five minutes.

Halfway through the second half, Washington equalised. A cross from the right was headed down to O’Reilly, and he finished from close range.

Inside the final 20 minutes, both sides had chances. Henderson had a couple of chances force saves from Kieran Proctor for FC Hartlepool, while Washington’s Duell hit the bar with a free-kick before James Hughes forced a save from McDonald.

In the 81st minute, FC Hartlepool went agonisingly close to regaining their lead. A defence splitting pass from the left picked out Linsel, and he helped it onto Fin Smith at the back post. Smith’s shot was well saved, and his rebound looked to have regained FC’s lead, but it hit the side netting.

With less than 30 seconds of normal time to play, Henderson’s side footed shot for FC had Proctor worried, but it curled just over the top corner.

And, in the second minute of added time, Washington scored their winner. An initial effort was well saved, but Docherty was quickest to react to fire the rebound into the net to give the hosts all three points.

Full-time: Washington 3-2 FC Hartlepool

Next up for me is Redcar Town vs Horden CW tomorrow.

Washington: Proctor, Parker, Johnson, Burton, Hutchinson, Gibbon, Hughes, Da Silva, Duell (c), Hawes, Silva

Subs: Randall, Ward, O’Reilly, Docherty, Anastassiou

FC Hartlepool: McDonald, Naylor (Smith, 69′), Cook, Gavin, Cope, Oakley, Tumilty (Gales, 69′), Chainey (Angus, 77′), Linsel, Murphy (Short, 77′), Henderson

Unused sub: Burrows

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: I don’t know

Attendance: 136