So happy for Brad James
- Thread starter Erimus74
- Start date
Can see him staying on at Pools next season. Experience will do him good.
r00fie1
Well-known member
His crucial save in the semi - final got them through to the Final:
www.gazettelive.co.uk
Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor credited Middlesbrough youngster Brad James with winning his side the game as they moved one win away from a Football League return.
The Pools beat Stockport County 1-0 in the National League play-off semi-final, setting up an Ashton Gate final with Torquay next Sunday. Hartlepool will be looking to make it back to the Football League for the first time since 2017 at the home of Bristol City.
It was Rhys Oates' 76th-minute goal that fired the Pools to the final, but Boro loanee James was required to step up with two minutes of normal time left.
Having been largely untested throughout the game, Stockport understandably threw everything into trying to find a late equaliser and former Hartlepool loanee Richie Bennett had the chance when he escaped attention in the penalty area and powered a header at goal from around five yards.
But, to Challinor's delight, Bennett was thwarted by the 21-year-old shot-stopper who not only made a point-blank stop but crucially held onto the ball to end any hope of a follow-up tap in.
Reacting after, Challinor told the club website: "Brad made a brilliant save and then moments later he came and collected a cross which relieved us as well.
"It's a credit to him because it's won us the game.
"People will say it's his job, but that will do him the world of good.
"He was outstanding in such a big game for a young player.
"Sometimes things go your way and when Benno gets that header right at the end maybe you look at it and it’s written in the stars for us because it’s a brilliant save."
James has spent the last two months on loan at Hartlepool from Middlesbrough, with Boro keen for the talented young goalkeeper to get first-team experience.
The Stockport win was his 17th appearance and saw him keep his sixth clean sheet in that time.
The Pools will now prepare for their play-off final with Torquay, with Challinor desperate to restore Hartlepool back to the EFL.
"We've got one more game now, one more big hurdle which hopefully we're good enough to get over," he said.
"It's a big ask but it's a challenge we're massively looking forward to.
"I'll enjoy tonight, and all the players should too. Then we look forward to one last big game."
Hartlepool boss Challinor praises Brad James for match-winning save
Brad James made a late save as Hartlepool United beat Stockport County 1-0 to make it to the play-off final
www.gazettelive.co.uk
Boss Dave Challinor praises Brad James for his match-winning save to send Hartlepool to the final
Brad James made a late save as Hartlepool United beat Stockport County 1-0 to make it to the play-off finalHartlepool United boss Dave Challinor credited Middlesbrough youngster Brad James with winning his side the game as they moved one win away from a Football League return.
The Pools beat Stockport County 1-0 in the National League play-off semi-final, setting up an Ashton Gate final with Torquay next Sunday. Hartlepool will be looking to make it back to the Football League for the first time since 2017 at the home of Bristol City.
It was Rhys Oates' 76th-minute goal that fired the Pools to the final, but Boro loanee James was required to step up with two minutes of normal time left.
Having been largely untested throughout the game, Stockport understandably threw everything into trying to find a late equaliser and former Hartlepool loanee Richie Bennett had the chance when he escaped attention in the penalty area and powered a header at goal from around five yards.
But, to Challinor's delight, Bennett was thwarted by the 21-year-old shot-stopper who not only made a point-blank stop but crucially held onto the ball to end any hope of a follow-up tap in.
Reacting after, Challinor told the club website: "Brad made a brilliant save and then moments later he came and collected a cross which relieved us as well.
"It's a credit to him because it's won us the game.
"People will say it's his job, but that will do him the world of good.
"He was outstanding in such a big game for a young player.
"Sometimes things go your way and when Benno gets that header right at the end maybe you look at it and it’s written in the stars for us because it’s a brilliant save."
James has spent the last two months on loan at Hartlepool from Middlesbrough, with Boro keen for the talented young goalkeeper to get first-team experience.
The Stockport win was his 17th appearance and saw him keep his sixth clean sheet in that time.
The Pools will now prepare for their play-off final with Torquay, with Challinor desperate to restore Hartlepool back to the EFL.
"We've got one more game now, one more big hurdle which hopefully we're good enough to get over," he said.
"It's a big ask but it's a challenge we're massively looking forward to.
"I'll enjoy tonight, and all the players should too. Then we look forward to one last big game."
asredastheycome
Well-known member
Enjoyed that game as much as anything I have seen this season. It had everything.
Slipperutb01
Well-known member
Well done Brad and poolies
Boro_Legend
Well-known member
Well done so happy for him and the club 
alanmoodysdog
Well-known member
the regular keeper is very very good but injured, Brad would only sit on the bench, he has great potential and is a superb shot stopper, needs work on commanding his box which experience will bring.... Well done Brad
weemoby
Well-known member
Watching the Wales game straight afterwards was certainly a step down in terms of emotion and all round entertainment.
Johnnyweetabix
Well-known member
Agree was better than any game at the euros so far
Craggsy2
Well-known member
Maybe we should do a swap?
Erimus74
Well-known member
Do you think Brad's game was from a Roy of the Rovers comic story, especially when he was given the nod ahead of the now fit No1 keeper
You would think the Torquay keeper, after scoring a 96th minute equaliser & making some marvellous saves throughout the game, even a minute or so leading up to his goal, when he dived to his left & made an excellent stop, was put on a pedastal & rightly so, then the opposite for young Brad
Time almost up, come out & clear a final ball then the whistle will blow & Pools will be up, but the worst possible nightmare, coming out & stuck in no man's land while his opposite number heads the equaliser & with that, the following mornings headlines
Pools are out on their feet & most likely won't last through extra time without conceding
But as the half goes on Pools gather a bit of strength & now penalties, the cameras scan to Brad, who looks so dejected, while his teammates pat him on the back as encouragement he knows he's let em down, but he can redeem himself, if only
Roy of the Rovers stuff for me & the following days headlines are not about the 3rd keeper to score in open play, with the headed equalising goal, but a young Boro lad pulling off a fantastic penalty save to win promotion for Pools
You would think the Torquay keeper, after scoring a 96th minute equaliser & making some marvellous saves throughout the game, even a minute or so leading up to his goal, when he dived to his left & made an excellent stop, was put on a pedastal & rightly so, then the opposite for young Brad
Time almost up, come out & clear a final ball then the whistle will blow & Pools will be up, but the worst possible nightmare, coming out & stuck in no man's land while his opposite number heads the equaliser & with that, the following mornings headlines
Pools are out on their feet & most likely won't last through extra time without conceding
But as the half goes on Pools gather a bit of strength & now penalties, the cameras scan to Brad, who looks so dejected, while his teammates pat him on the back as encouragement he knows he's let em down, but he can redeem himself, if only
Roy of the Rovers stuff for me & the following days headlines are not about the 3rd keeper to score in open play, with the headed equalising goal, but a young Boro lad pulling off a fantastic penalty save to win promotion for Pools
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Muttley
Well-known member
To add to that the Torquay keeper being a complete d!ck and saving the first two Pools penalties whilst his team mates missed. Then he was persistently advancing from his line before the ball was struck (ref should have warned him - if you'd saved that it would've been taken again)
But great drama, shame there were a few nobheads who took it too far in the pitch invasion.
But great drama, shame there were a few nobheads who took it too far in the pitch invasion.
Colin Warnek
Well-known member
He should be fighting against Lumley for the no1 jersey here next season.
TeaCider
Well-known member
Disagree.
I've watched 3 Hartlepool games in the last few weeks, and he's made big mistakes in 2 of them that have led to goals.
That's in non-league too.
Loan him back out and let him develop.