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Hartlepool United 2-2 Ebbsfleet United player ratings photo gallery: 'His best game' - Two 8s the standout as Pools struggle to draw

Joe Ramage
·4-min read
Hartlepool United had to settle for a draw against Ebbsfleet United. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Hartlepool United had to settle for a draw against Ebbsfleet United. (Photo: Frank Reid)

Emmanuel Dieseruvwe scored his 12th goal of the season to give Hartlepool the lead only for Billy Clifford to quickly level the scores three minutes later with a smart finish from the edge of the area.

John Askey’s side were looking for an uplift in both performance and result following a two week break, but were fortunate to go in on terms at half-time with goalkeeper Joel Dixon called upon a number of times to keep the away side at bay.

Pools remained sluggish in the second half but almost snatched three points when Jake Hastie gave Askey’s side what seemed a priceless lead in the 90th minute after coming on as a substitute.

His best game for Hartlepool and the reason why Pools took something. Beaten by a good strike from Clifford but made some key saves in the first half to deny Cundle, Fanimo and Tanner. Excellent save to deny Clifford in the second half among others. A little loose with some distribution but a very good performance. (Photo: Frank Reid)
His best game for Hartlepool and the reason why Pools took something. Beaten by a good strike from Clifford but made some key saves in the first half to deny Cundle, Fanimo and Tanner. Excellent save to deny Clifford in the second half among others. A little loose with some distribution but a very good performance. (Photo: Frank Reid)

But Ebbsfleet quickly levelled once more when Dominic Samuel converted from close range deep into stoppage time as the points were shared.

And here's how Pools rated:

Struggled to adjust a little on the right of a back four as Cundle and Samuel got some joy down his side. Might have been hindered by a knock picked up midway through the first 45. Steadied after the break but did allow Clifford by him too easily at times. Booked. (Photo: NW)
Struggled to adjust a little on the right of a back four as Cundle and Samuel got some joy down his side. Might have been hindered by a knock picked up midway through the first 45. Steadied after the break but did allow Clifford by him too easily at times. Booked. (Photo: NW)
A little fortunate to escape a yellow card for a challenge on Kenlock. Important block to deny Poleon in the first half and good awareness to drop back on the line and clear from Cundle in the second. (Photo: Frank Reid)
A little fortunate to escape a yellow card for a challenge on Kenlock. Important block to deny Poleon in the first half and good awareness to drop back on the line and clear from Cundle in the second. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Big block in the first half and ushered out Fanimo on occasion. Forced off with an injury early in the second half. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Big block in the first half and ushered out Fanimo on occasion. Forced off with an injury early in the second half. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Good driving run to help find Dieseruvwe for the opener but struggled to kick on from there and get a foothold. Took a heavy challenge in the first half which took a little bit of shaking off. Turned it over a little too easily at times. Had to drop back into centre-back in the second half. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
Good driving run to help find Dieseruvwe for the opener but struggled to kick on from there and get a foothold. Took a heavy challenge in the first half which took a little bit of shaking off. Turned it over a little too easily at times. Had to drop back into centre-back in the second half. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
The only one of the midfield looking capable of stemming Ebbsfleet’s approach at times in what was a difficult first half. Clever ball into Wreh who found Agyemang. Excellent chasing back to win possession on halfway late on. (Photo: Frank Reid)
The only one of the midfield looking capable of stemming Ebbsfleet’s approach at times in what was a difficult first half. Clever ball into Wreh who found Agyemang. Excellent chasing back to win possession on halfway late on. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Rarely involved in the first half as Hartlepool’s midfield was completely bypassed. Grew into things much better after the break when drifting over to the right. Unlucky with a snapshot late on. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Rarely involved in the first half as Hartlepool’s midfield was completely bypassed. Grew into things much better after the break when drifting over to the right. Unlucky with a snapshot late on. (Photo: FRANK REID NATIONALWORLD 2022)
Was pulled around in position a little too much and struggled at times as a result. Had some decent energy about him but not in enough positions to cause Ebbsfleet trouble. Had a good opportunity from Wreh’s cross but heavy touch let him down. Subbed. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Was pulled around in position a little too much and struggled at times as a result. Had some decent energy about him but not in enough positions to cause Ebbsfleet trouble. Had a good opportunity from Wreh’s cross but heavy touch let him down. Subbed. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Formed part of a new look front three but, like in midfield, it seemed a little disjointed. Couldn’t get close enough to Dieseruvwe to cause enough of a threat. Showed some clever footwork at times. Subbed. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
Formed part of a new look front three but, like in midfield, it seemed a little disjointed. Couldn’t get close enough to Dieseruvwe to cause enough of a threat. Showed some clever footwork at times. Subbed. (Photo: FRANK REID 2022)
Similar to Wreh he was a little bit lost in the first half as Pools seemed to cycle through systems. Had some decent energy about him and filled in reasonably well on the left in the second half. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
Similar to Wreh he was a little bit lost in the first half as Pools seemed to cycle through systems. Had some decent energy about him and filled in reasonably well on the left in the second half. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
Superb goal to give Pools the lead. Picked up pockets of space in front of the defence well and showed some lovely touches but was largely isolated. Wasn’t involved as much in the second half until late on when his driving run freed up Hastie to convert. Almost grabbed a winner when denied at point blank range by Cousins.
Superb goal to give Pools the lead. Picked up pockets of space in front of the defence well and showed some lovely touches but was largely isolated. Wasn’t involved as much in the second half until late on when his driving run freed up Hastie to convert. Almost grabbed a winner when denied at point blank range by Cousins.
First appearance back from injury and injected a little bit of life into Hartlepool’s attack. Showed for the ball and was busy. Important to have back and can hopefully build his sharpness. (Photo: Frank Reid)
First appearance back from injury and injected a little bit of life into Hartlepool’s attack. Showed for the ball and was busy. Important to have back and can hopefully build his sharpness. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Full credit to him, he kept chipping away after being muscled out of one or two attacks soon after his introduction. Was busy and linked well with Paterson. Took his goal well. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Full credit to him, he kept chipping away after being muscled out of one or two attacks soon after his introduction. Was busy and linked well with Paterson. Took his goal well. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Showed some positive signs when coming on in the closing stages with a couple of crosses which almost led to a winner for Pools. (Photo: Frank Reid)
Showed some positive signs when coming on in the closing stages with a couple of crosses which almost led to a winner for Pools. (Photo: Frank Reid)