HARTLEPOOL UNITED - SATURDAY 27/10/07

REPORT | VIDEO

Hartlepool would represent the Albions second longest away trip of the season, with only Carlisle being further away. A decent run of away form would make for an interesting game at Victoria Park, with the Monkey Hangers being particularly good at home, and certain to be inspired by the death of one of their players, Michael Maidens, in a car crash last week. It was all set out to be an interesting day in the North East, although whether it would be worth undertaking a 600 mile round trip for remained to be seen

The day begins at 6am, as Potter awaited his train to rendezvous with Witham McCarthy is soon met in Northampton, but we waste around 30 minutes trying to find somewhere for Witham to park as an unsuccessful sat nav attempt to find Tesco leads us to an industrial estate
We eventually find one though, and a bargain full English breakfast is taken for a mere £3.80 McCarthy and Witham share a piece of toast

We were rather excited to see this lorry transporting a house This WH Smith worker is an early favorite for work uniform of the year

With McCarthy at the wheel, Witham was on Dear Deirdre duty Upton and Nick Clayton, losing his Crocs virginity, enjoy the journey
You know you are in the north when these types of power stations begin appearing Even more so when there are two within a few miles of each other
These locals had done their weekly shop in Wilkinson We arrive at Victoria Park
Exploring the town centre, we discover 3 pound shops within a 20 metre radius of each other. Potter contemplates buying a lion This water fountain was the focal point of the town

Upton would decide against drinking from it A gripping story for the local newspaper
Witham inside the arena Upton had always wanted to enter Victoria
Clayton looks happy to have arrived Potter just looks incredibly gay with his scarf
McCarthy, cool, calm and collected despite the marathon of a 5 hour drive thus far The traditional Bruce
Potter has got it erect for one, although he did require help from McCarthy McCarthy is proud of his work
This hotdog was a bargain £3, and was bigger than McCarthys face The Main Stand
The stand behind the goal The stand along the side
Tom Stewart arrives from Newcastle This cone denoted no parking was allowed in the goal area
For the second Crocs game in a row, we question who is this man and what is his purpose? The teams emerge onto the pitch
A minutes silence in memory of Hartlepool player Michael Maidens, who was killed in a car accident last Friday Brighton hero Richie Barker was in the Hartlepool team
Dean Cox sees his cross somehow end up in the back of the net Michel Kuipers takes a goal kick into the wind
The Hartlepool monkey displays the lottery winners Witham is upbeat at the 1-0 scoreline
While McCarthy ponders just how it is 1-0 after a dire first half Upton and Clayton are happy thus far
The spot the flid competition proved popular once again Oaf is on the phone, moments before falling over
The teams emerge for the second half Jan Budtz is a man mountain in goal for Hartlepool, and we pondered whether he has ever eaten a child
Bas Savage completed his flair player profile with these red boots Hartlepool celebrate as a 88th minute equaliser should give them a share of the points
Suprisingly, the Albion cock up another free-kick Bas Savage moonwalks, after scoring a superb individual goal with virtually the last kick of the game
The Albion players salute the fans after a hard earned three points McCarthy arrives back in Cheltenham, a total of 16 hours and 580 miles after leaving