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Dover Athletic 4 Hartlepool United 0: Pinnock and Bird both score twice in emphatic win

Two goals each from Mitch Pinnock and Ryan Bird helped Dover to their first win in five National League matches on Saturday.

Chris Kinnear’s men put in a dominant performance to win 4-0 over Hartlepool at Crabble.

Pinnock scored two in the opening 25 minutes and Ryan Bird added the third 10 minutes before the end of the match to seal the win.

Bird doubled his tally for the game in 93rd minute with another headed goal to pile on the misery for Hartlepool.

Mitch Pinnock. Picture: Tony Flashman
Mitch Pinnock. Picture: Tony Flashman

Bird scored his 10th and 11th goal of the season but they were his first since October.

Hartlepool’s day was made even worse when Nicky Deverdics was sent off two minutes from time.

From minute one Dover looked the more confident and assured team. Hartlepool tried to play the ball around but lacked the quality in the final third with Mitch Walker barely being troubled in the Dover goal.

Pinnock opened the scoring the third minute of the with Dover’s first attack after a neat bit of work from Anthony Jeffrey down the left. Pinnock latched onto his cross to beat the Hartlepool keeper at his near post.

Mitch Brundle. Picture: Tony Flashman
Mitch Brundle. Picture: Tony Flashman

The two combined again to double Dover’s advantage in the 25th minute. Jeffrey robbed a Hartlepool defender 25 yards from goal and was able to find Pinnock free at the back post who hit it into the empty net.

The game was put beyond doubt in the 79th minute after a good work from substitute Kadell Daniel to put a ball in for Ryan Bird, who headed home.

Bird then added another in the closing stages of the game to add to Hartlepool's misery.

The home side dominated the first half with Hartlepool struggling to clear their lines. Manny Parry nearly added to their goal tally shortly before Pinnock’s second.

Pinnock, Jeffrey and Bird all combined to win a corner in the 20th minute. Parry’s header from that corner hit the post and was cleared by Hartlepool.

Liam Donnelly had the opposition’s best chance five minutes before half-time forcing a good save from Mitch Walker. His fierce shot was spilt by Walker who then claimed at the second attempt.

The second half was a more even affair with Mitch Walker being called into action a couple of times, Hartlepool hit post shortly before Dover added their third.

Dover Athletic: Walker, Ilesanmi, Gallifuoco, Parry, Essam, Brundle (c), Pinnock, Okosieme, Bird, Nortey, Jeffrey (Daniel 64). Subs: Richards, Fazakerley, Alabi, Deen-Conteh.

Hartlepool United: Loach, Oates (Adeloye 63), Newton, Cassidy, Munns, Woods, Deverdics, Magnay (c), Donnelly, Ledger (Adams 77), Laing. Subs: Richardson, Hawkins, Rodney.

Attendance: 1,083 (116 away)

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