Sunderland ran out comfortable 3-1 winners in Ritchie Humphrey’s testimonial. After trailing early on through ex Mag, Nobby Solano, goals from Asamoah Gyan, Jack Colback and Seb Larsson were enough for the Lads.

A few thousand of us made the short trip down the A19 and piled into to Victoria Park on a hot and humid Tuesday night.

Victoria Park itself is an old traditional ground. And unlike most Premier League grounds, charges traditional prices and has the capability to create a good atmosphere that isn’t lost in the plethora of empty seats. A pint was £2.50, which was canny, but we all went to a local club just a stone’s through from the stadium where the bitter was only two pound. Marvellous.

Back to football and we lined up like this:
Mignolet
Bardsley Ferdinand Brown Richardson
Elmohamady Cattermole (c) Colback Larsson
Sessegnon
Gyan

Seb started on the left wing looking to solve our dilemma of who should occupy that side, but it was a pretty strong line up. A line up, that, in all honesty, should’ve been too strong for Hartlepool.

And with both sets of fans mixing freely, alas, creating a cracking atmosphere, it all went a bit Pete Tong at the start with the hosts running into a shock lead. Seven minutes in Monkhouse crossed the ball in low from the left side and Solano drilled it in from about 10 yards. Bugger. 0-1.

For the next 10 or so minutes Pool controlled the game. They showed a tenacity and a hunger, which isn’t normally apparent in friendly games and looked good value for their lead.

But then we managed to get a foothold and we managed to make our pressure count and bagged an equaliser. Larsson crossed the ball at the second attempt and his ball found Asamoah Gyan, who looked a country mile offside, but he was at the back-stick to head home. Gerrin. 1-1.

We then piled forward in search of another. First, Colback’s follow-up shot was well saved before Sess sent a shot wide.

The ref blew for half-time and it was 1-1 at the break. The most pleasing aspect of the half was the way we battled back from going one down. For the most part, we looked comfortable when we were attacking.

After the interval we picked were we left off – in possession and posing a threat going forward. Our ambition paid dividends five minutes in and we went 2-1 up. Richardson played a good low ball into the box and the gingeriest man in the stadium, Jack Colback, fired the ball in, nut-megging their keeper in the process. 2-1.

It got even better a couple of minutes later. Sess’s low cross evaded Baby Jet, but Larsson was on hand to curl the ball past the keeper. Great goal. 3-1.

From then on we were in total control. The only bit of respite for Hartlepool came when testimonial-boy Humphrey’s was subbed to a rapturous ovation.

And that was that, the last 30 minutes ebbed and flowed and petered out. It was a decent performance from the Lads who showed a wealth of professionalism and class. Pleasingly, it looked like the 11 on show really gelled and the future looks bright. Onwards and upwards.

Final Score: 3-1

ALS Man of the Match: Probably, for me, Sessegnon. He looked bright, sharp and was a thorn in the opposition’s side all night.

Chris Glancey

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