WINTER is well and truly here at the Fraser Eagle Stadium, and how do we know this?

Is it the subs shivering as they warm up on the touchline?

No.

Is it the first sight of penguins on the canal?

No.

Is it the steam rising high into the sky above the burger van?.

Nope. None of these things.

It's the topic of conversation that lets you know Jack Frost is on his way.

In a word, roof. Or to be more precise, the lack of one.

The weather did not help the attendance or the quality the football on show on Saturday.

Both teams struggled in the blustery conditions, but it was Hartlepool who came out on top.

The away fans were calling for their manager's head as Stanley went into the break one up, but whatever the Pools boss said at half-time did the trick, and his boys were fired up and on top for most of the second half.

The sending off of Jay Harris seemed harsh as the big number five had been all over him, but if he did spit at him then it is indefensible.

The day was not all bad though.

Andy Todd was a colossus on the wing and Andy Procter just gets better with each passing game.

And then there was the linesman running off and holding up play whilst he took a much needed toilet break to the amusement of all.

Stanley need a bit of spark to light up the league campaign and on Sunday we witnessed the old spark at work for Ipswich.

Gary Roberts went close to scoring and provided the cross for the second goal (oh well, what could have been!).