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County's 'big' win

Simon Smedley
27/ 8/2008

JIM Gannon saluted more ‘big’ performances from his players after they had earned their first League One win of the season at Hartlepool on Saturday.

Tommy Rowe’s thrilling stoppage-time winner elevated still unbeaten County to a hugely satisfactory seventh place in the table, and of course the teenage whizz-kid came in for praise immediately after the game.

Hatters’ boss Gannon said: "Tommy’s a class player, he put in another tremendous shift today.

"He’s the one player that we know has that Premiership fitness. Even at the end he’s still showing that superb balance and speed. It was a fantastic finish from him."

It wasn’t just about Rowe though, who once again shone in front of the watchful eyes of numerous scouts sitting in the stand, the whole County team did the 400-strong travelling army proud again.

Gannon added: "In the first half we struggled to contain their movement so I couldn’t wait for half-time to make some tactical changes.

"We were a lot more solid after the break, especially during the first 25 minutes when we looked more capable of scoring than them.

"I don’t think Owain fon Williams had much to do in the second half, but he was man-of-the-match in the first.

"He’s been brilliant. I’m pleased for him and really pleased that we’ve been able to add him to our squad.

"It’s just goes to show the quality of player that is out there that’s not being given a chance.

"Some managers might not trust these players, but I’m delighted to have put my trust in Owain. He’s exceeded my expectations unbelievably."

Gannon added: "All round there were a lot of big performances, and if you get big performances you get big results.

"If we had lost today everyone would have spoken about a bad start, a win though, and it’s a great start.

"A win at this stage of the season can really jump you up the table, but it has been a good start for us. It’s a confidence-building start.

"Slowly but surely my players are adapting to this level. If the players continue to work hard and I continue to work hard, then we can build on this."

Pools’ boss Danny Wilson said: "We’ve been mugged by a team whose goalkeeper was just inspired.

"It wasn’t a bad performance by us, but we just couldn’t get past a well-organised and determined defence and a very good goalkeeper.

"So while the result is a bad one, I’m not too downhearted by the performance."