Hartlepool United boss Dave Jones thrilled with quality of Pools' goals

Michael Woods was the latest to get the accolade from the manager after he stroked his shot past Will Norris for the winner at Cambridge United on Tuesday night.

Padraig Amond, Lewis Alessandra and Amond, again, combined to tee up Woods after Nicky Deverdics played the ball forward.

Saturday’s goal at Notts County was an OG and had luck attached to it, but it was the result of a good run and cross by Rhys Oates, a clever dummy by Amond and a shot on target by Thomas.

And previously, all three goals against Exeter in the 3-1 win, two for Alessandra and one for Amond, were all out of the top drawer.

“It was another top quality goal,” said Jones of Woods’ goal.

“The movement was good and it was great to see the patterns we’ve been working on in training come to fruition.”

While Jones was happy to see paractice making perfect, he was quick to point out the win was based on a clean sheet.

“We looked so solid at the back and in midfield and Podge up top ran his heart out,” said the boss, who is looking for a fourth win in five matches at home to Wycombe on Saturday.

“All the players worked really hard.

“When you see the lads coming off and their shirts are wringing wet and breathing heavy, you know they’ve put a shift in.

“They certainly did that.”

Meanwhile, Carl Magnay is getting ever closer to a full return to action for Hartlepool United.

The defender took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly for Pools in Durham yesterday.

Magnay played 45 minutes for a Pools XI against Nike Academy at Maiden Castle.

It was a welcome return for the 28-year-old, who has spent the last six months out of action with a serious knee injury.

The match also proved a good one for two first-team squad men who have been reduced to spectator roles for the last couple of games.

Attacking midfielder Josh Hawkes scored a hat-trick, with Louis Rooney, on loan from Plymouth for the rest of the season, getting the other goal. Magnay has been a major miss for Pools after damaging his knee in the 0-0 home draw with Mansfield Town in September.

Magnay underwent surgery after he ruptured his ACL and it was feared he would not play again this season. But the former Chelsea defender has made a rapid recovery and was back in training last month, first with the youth and development squads and then with the first team.

He has been back doing contact work and this friendly appearance is further proof he is getting nearer a League Two return, probably next month.

Magnay played eight of the first 10 matches of the season and was the two-goal hero as Pools fought back to draw 3-3 away to Crewe.

During his absence, Pools have used Jordan Richards, Liam Donnelly and, more recently, teenager Kenton Richardson in the right-back slot.