Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor praises 'great' intensity in win against Chesterfield

Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor praised his team’s intensity as they blew Chesterfield away in the first-half at Victoria park.
Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor.Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor.
Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor.

The hosts, unbeaten in 15 going into this clash, scored three times in 43 minutes to put them well in control at the break.

Fraser Kerr pulled a goal back when scored his first for the Spireites, heading in Liam Mandeville’s corner on the hour.

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The visitors did not give up but in the end Challinor’s men claimed a big three points in the race for the National League title.

“First-half our intensity was great, it was as good as it has been for the majority of the season,” Challinor said.

“The early goal was massive. We spoke in the dressing room about how we wanted to start the game and how we would show our intent.

“To get the goal reinforces our message and allows us to relax a little bit so we are in the knowledge that if we get the second goal then it becomes a difficult game for them.

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“Second-half they changed their shape to throw caution to the wind a little bit.

“As much as I wanted us to be on the front-foot in the second-half, you are three-nil up and it becomes a case of trying to defend and that can be dangerous at times and it certainly becomes frustrating from our perspective but we have won the game and that was the objective against a team who have been in and around it and have been on a good run.

“With our first-half performance and being three goals in front we probably earnt the right to be a little reserved in our press. What we needed to be was more ruthless.”

The Spireites rallied after the break following a change of formation and they caused the hosts some problems.

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Kerr and Mandeville went close again but they could not find a second goal and fell to their first away defeat in seven.

“We got played through, we got stretched and that is something we can learn from and get better at,” Challinor added.