A second half goal from Jack Hunter on his competitive debut for Pools meant Darren Sarll claimed a victory at his former stomping ground to mark the start of his Hartlepool reign. 

The Pools starting eleven included three debutants in Jack Hunter, Nathan Sheron and Luke Charman. Dan Dodds also started, returning from a lengthy spell out with an ACL injury, while Adam Campbell marked his return to the Club.

The first real chance of the game came in the 15th minute after a cross from Charman on the right-hand side. It was a very inviting ball into Mani Dieseruvwe however the striker couldn’t get contact on it.

The next real chance of the game came in the first and only minute of stoppage time in the first half, with the ball falling to Charman on the right-hand side of the box from a free-kick. He went for the volley however he blasted over the bar.

Half-time arrived and the game was still in deadlock at 0-0. Pools having the better of the chances, whilst also proving very solid defensively.

The first chance of the second half came in the 52nd minute, and it again was a chance for Pools. Campbell released Joe Grey on the right, who drove and had his long-range effort blocked by a Yeovil defender.

In the 57th minute, a deep cross found Dieseruvwe in the box. He headed it down teeing a chance up for Sheron on the penalty spot, though his goal-bound header was neatly caught by the keeper.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute. Hunter received the ball on the edge of the box from Campbell and curled into the top right corner, sensationally marking his debut.

There was no let off from the Pools after their first goal, a 73rd minute corner saw Tom Parkes just narrowly shave the crossbar with a headed effort.

Soon after that, Yeovil’s Jordan Young had an effort go narrowly wide of the left-hand post with a curling strike. The first real chance of the half that Yeovil had created.

The final 15 minutes of the 90 saw the home side press for an equaliser, creating many chances to try and salvage a point.

After a lengthy seven minutes of added time, which included a Harvey Greenslade chance in the last second, referee David Rock blew for full time. The score ending 1-0 following Hunter’s stunner.

This result gives Pools great confidence before their first home game against Southend United next weekend.

Pools: Dixon, Dodds (Onariase, 90+4), Waterfall (Sass-Davies, 70), Parkes, Ferguson, Hunter, Sheron, Campbell (Stephenson, 90), Charman (Mancini, 79), Grey, Dieseruvwe

Unused subs: Smith, Featherstone, Steel

Attendance: 3646