The second of the contributions for the BT site that went unseen:
O’s have the last laugh
Substitutions can transform matches and that was never more evident than at Brisbane Road on Saturday.
After a dismal, goalless first half when we might have imagined we were watching England, the Monkeyhangers dominated the first quarter hour of the second period. In fact, it was the 61st minute before the ball found its way into (or rather over) their penalty area for the first time after the interval. By that time, an out-of-form “Lofty” Cox and a mainly-offside Alex Revell had been replaced by Paul-Jose M’Poku and Jon Tehoué, and the two Euro-forwards totally transformed the game.
While M’Poku tormented the ‘Pools defence to the extent that they eventually resorted to kicking him over the touchline, it was Tehoué who bundled in the late winner and make it a long journey home for the away fans. Ironically, the corner that led to the goal came as a result of a mis-hit free kick by M’Poku, who ended up on his backside to the amusement of the travelling supporters – well they weren’t laughing for long!
Just time to mention that the corner was taken by Charlie Daniels, easily man of the match out of those playing the full 90 minutes.
