Pride of Anglia - Ipswich Town Football Club

Talbot turns 'Killer' for Ipswich

One flash of international class from Brian Talbot crushed a brief but brave revival bid by Hartlepool after a traumatic opening. The England midfielder stormed upfield in the 49th minute to round off a sizzling reverse-pass move with Robin Turner and volley Ipswich into a 3-1 lead.

After that there was no real danger to Ipswich, despite a few spirited efforts from the Fourth Division side.

"That was the killer," agreed Hartlepool manager Billy Horner afterwards. "I thought at that stage we were in with a chance as Ipswich were looking worried."

Hartlepool could not have had a worse start. After six minutes Paul Mariner went sprawling after a tackle by Derrek Downing.

Hartlepool were stunned when referee John Holmwood (Sunbury) awarded a penalty, which was converted by Colin Viljoen for his first goal of the season.

Downing protested later: "I slid in to knock the ball back to my 'keeper and the Ipswich man fell over my leg."

After 28 minutes Hartlepool looked down and out when Mariner, whose pace was always too hot for his opponents, volleyed his fifth goal in six games to make it 2-0.

But, suddenly, Hartlepool perked up. Kevin Beattie, making an expressive return after two months, rescued Ipswich with a superb tackle on Malcolm Poskett, Hartlepool's most threatening forward.

In the 40th minute Downing pulled a spectacular goal back for 'Pools with a glorious drive from the corner of the penalty area.

And in the 47th minute only a courageous dive at the feet of Poskett by Ipswich 'keeper Paul Cooper prevented an equaliser.

It was then that Talbot, perhaps sensing that his team-mates were relaxing too much, made his vital mark - and Ipswich were back in complete command.

Viljoen made it 4-1 with a classic move in the 66th minute.

There should have been other Ipswich goals. Clive Woods shot against a post after a scintillating dribble, Mariner twice blazed over the bar, and Turner and Mick Lambert missed good opportunities.

Little Hartlepool, too, had some further moments to remember. Tomy Gibb saw a shot blocked on the line by the mighty Beattie and Poskett forced an excellent save from Cooper.

Ipswich manager Bobby Robson paid tribute to Hartlepool afterwards. He said: "They always made a match of it and gave the fans value for money - although I felt that whatever they did, we would win by two or three goals."

Philip Osborn (Sunday Express)