Good to see the performances being rewarded! Long may it continue
Wait a minute I recognise Connor Newton won League Cup with St. Mirren
December Review
December was a mixed month for Hartlepool, as their fell to their first set of back-to-back losses of the season, prior to a strong finish to wrap up 2018.
A well-documented 4-0 victory over Bury in the FA Cup began December on a high. United will travel to the Emirates in January to face Arsenal in the Third Round of the competition.
A stoppage time free-kick from Jack Munns sealed a huge three points for Dagenham in their fight to remain in the National League in the following game. The Pools were unable to fashion any great opportunities, as the Daggers captured a vital victory.
That result marked Hartlepool's first loss at Victoria Park this season.
Jacob Jones made it strikingly clear he demanded a response from his side against Maidenhead United. However his side continued to look distracted by the incoming FA Cup clash, as they fell to a 2-1 loss at York Road.
Further injury-time drama occurred, as Noel Mbo's tap-in in the 94th minute sealed the points for the hosts. Luke James cancelled out his early strike in the 54th minute, however the visitors were once again not at the races.
Liam Noble celebrates his goal against Havant & Waterlooville
The FA Trophy provided an opportunity for Hartlepool to get back to winning ways. Travelling to Evesham United, who ply their trade in the Southern Football League Division One South-West, United raced out comfortable winners in a 3-0 win.
With a few rotations to the usual side, Liam Noble, Nathan Arnold and Cameron James all got on the score-sheet in the first-half to progress into the Second Round. Harlow Town now await Jacob Jones' side.
That victory provided a much needed confidence boost to the side. A thumping 4-0 win against Havant & Waterlooville followed, in which restored United's form in the league. Liam Noble's strike just before the break set the tone, prior to Lewis Hawkins' goal and a double from Luke James in the second-half.
Gateshead were the hosts for Hartlepool's Boxing Day game, with the reverse fixture coming on New Year's Day. Ahead of the game, Gateshead sat second in the National League, directly behind their neighbours, knowing a win would put themselves level on points at the top.
Connor Thomson put his side in front after just thirteen minutes with a strike from the edge of the six-yard box. But a quick double from Luke James and Luke Molyneux would put the visitors in-front at the interval. Liam Noble would confirm the games outcome in the dying embers, as Hartlepool further stretched their lead at the top of the National League.
The final game of 2018 proved to be a rather dull affair, as United were held to a 0-0 draw at the Proact. The only real talking-point was Kyel Reid's second-yellow card for the Spireites.
League Table
Player of the Month
Tireless midfielder Liam Noble has claimed the December Player of the Month award. The 27-year-old isn't usually known for his goalscoring credentials, however captured three goals this month, as well as helping the side to strong results against promotion rivals Gateshead and Chesterfield.
Jacob Jones:
"Liam has been exceptional this month. He has been getting into quite unfamiliar position as of late, but continued to display his abilities as a tremendous footballer."
"His attitude has been fantastic since I have arrived at the club. He was one of a number of players brought in prior to my arrival, but he has been a key component to our success. Often his impact is overlooked, but he has shone this month, especially during our short sticky patch."
Replies
Jack: As am I. It's been a great start so far, long may it last!
LFC: Indeed.
Murray: He did, yes!
Justice: That one is quite clever, to be fair.
That defensive record is outstanding! It'll be what crowns you as champion. When will that happen; I Havant a clue!
December is always a tough month so with only a few points dropped and still a 4 point gap at the top can definitely be seen as a positive month. A great first six months for Jacob, I wonder how far he can take this team!
Bit of a slip up with those two defeats on the trot, but still a good lead at the top built from earlier in the season. Looking forward to this FA Cup 3rd round tie with Arsenal and also how far you get in the FA Trophy given that you are leading the non-league.
Hartlepool boss positive in Arsenal defeat
Hartlepool United manager Jacob Jones has praised his side despite their crushing 5-0 loss to Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round.
Hartlepool were comfortably swept aside by their opponents at the Emirates, with a double from Danny Welbeck adding to Shkordran Mustafi, Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey's penalty, resulting in Unai Emery's side progressing into the Fourth Round.
The difference in the two sides was clear to see throughout the game, however, the visitors were praised by pundits alike for their character over the ninety minutes, with Alex Scott labelling them "a credit to Non-League football."
Jacob Jones spoke directly after the game, announcing his pride despite the heavy loss.
"I couldn't be more proud of every single one of my players. They were excellent today and gave it all they had, which is all anybody wanted. We came here knowing that we were extremely unlikely to get a result and I told the players to go out and enjoyed themselves - that's what today was about for us."
"I couldn't be anymore thankful to the supporters either and the support they gave the boys. They came in huge numbers, I believe there were about 3,000 there today, which is fantastic given the journey from the town to North London."
"I have a lot of respect for the Arsenal staff and players too. They were extremely respectful to us and I have a lot of good things to say about Unai [Emery] after today. He is a great person and we shared a few words at the full-time whistle. I wish them luck for the remainder of the season."
"For us, it's about returning to the league season with a positive attitude. It's important we continue to work hard if we want to hold on to our position at the top of the table - there are a lot of sides desperate to overtake us."
Replies
Justice: I'm very pleased with it, to be honest. I'm hoping we can keep that going in the second-half of the season.
LFC: I guess time will tell!
Jack: The FA Trophy is a competition which isn't a priority, in truth, but the further we get, the more we will want to win it - of course.
Meh, it was bound to happen wasn't it. Huge boost for the finances on the upside though with playing at the Emirates.
Big boost to the club, make good use of the increase in income and keep on moving up the divisions!
The financial benefits of playing such a club like Arsenal must be enormous. Plus you get your name mentioned on AFTV, which is always a positive!
Update
I feel like this is very much a necessary update to make. I have discussed this with a few people and I have come to a conclusion over what my next steps will be. Unfortunately, this story will be coming to a premature end. Whilst I understand this is a further story which has been drawn to an abrupt end, I feel that it is the best decision for me.
When I created this story, I felt like this save would draw me back into the game which I love. FM19 has been a very enjoyable game, but one that has seen me struggle to settle into any long-term save. As somebody who loves to document their saves like I do on these very forums, it's incredibly frustrating.
I have often forced myself to push on into stories/saves and I have drawn my problems back to rushing too far into them. Additionally, I have failed to set necessary targets and create a backstory which is what has formed a successful backdrop into previous stories (the Colchester one back on FM17).
I am going to take my time in finding my next FM save. I have a lot of ideas as to how I want to develop my story, but it's important that I find the right save in order to serve a story which has quality and longevity. I am increasingly disappointed in what I have served so far this FM-year and want to produce something in which I, as well as you, are satisfied with.
Therefore, I am unsure when I will be creating my next story. It could be soon, it may not. However, I am keen to ensure that it is one that will set a high-standard, which I have failed to do recently.
There are some incredibly talented writers and some fantastic stories ongoing at the moment, which means that the story section will continue to thrive in a ScottT story-free forum. I encourage readers, although I suspect you read them anyway, to read some of the stories being written at the moment. You will not regret it.
Again, I would like to apologise for this. I understand it's frustrating to see another story, for better words, flop. However, I intend for the next story to be my best yet. I intend to deliver on that promise.
Thanks,
Scott "Scoot" Tyson x
Scott "Scoot" Tyson x
Unfortunate that you have had to stop the story but you have to do what you feel is best!
Hope to see a new Scoot story soon!
Hope to see a new Scoot story soon!
You are reading "Jacob Jones: Simply Unbelievable".
