Match Report: Hartlepool Suffer FA Trophy upset against Anstey Nomads

Hartlepool 1-2 Anstey Nomads

Step four Anstey compound to Pools’ trophy woes this season in a dominant display at the prestige group stadium.

Goals from Jordan Annable and Tendai Chitiza put the visitors in front before Campbell Darcy netted a consolation.

Nicky Featherstone named a changed squad to face the step four side, Anstey who have never reached this far in the competition.

The Nomad’s started the game well, the 11th minute saw Danny Gordon’s long throw fall to Kyle Tomlin whose strike was deflected behind for a corner.

Anstey Nomads opened the scoring soon after when a well worked corner kick was finished well from captain Annable who celebrated in front of their travelling fans.

Just past the opening quarter Anstey came close to a second after a free kick from Danny Gordon just went past the post.

On the half hour mark, Hartlepool missed a chance through Danny Johnson after the ball was headed into his path from Max Kouogun the strikers effort went well wide.

Minutes later a mistake at the back from Pools gave Oscar Tonge a free chance one on one with Adam Smith but his shot went just wide of the target.

In added time of the first half, Matty Daly had a low shot saved by Nunez after receiving the ball in the box from Cameron John.

Three minutes into second half Hartlepool were awarded a Penalty after Danny Johnson was brought down in the box.

The penalty was taken by Johnson but was well saved by Nunez to his left. 

56 minutes saw the visitors double their lead through Tendai Chitiza latching on the end of a flick on from Connor Grantham the striker found the bottom right corner from the edge of the box. 

Past the hour mark, Adam Campbell’s clipped  ball over the defence fell for John whose shot from the left across goal went just went wide of the post.

Into injury time, sub Campbell Darcy latched onto Campbell’s ball before sending a tight-angled shot into Nunez.

With only seconds remaining Hartlepool got a goal back as Darcy’s attempted cross found the net from the left side of the box.

Hartlepool : Smith, Benn, John, Parkes, Kouogun, Ferguson, Johnson, Campbell, Miley, Brown, Daly 

Anstey: Nunez, Tomlin, Gordon, Annable, Gibbens, Liversidge, Kokkinos, Bestwick, Grantham, Chitiza, Tonge.