Lee Clark praised the fighting spirit, intensity and quality of his Hartlepool United side after Pools began the 2026/27 Enterprise National League season with a 2-0 victory over Barrow at Victoria Park.

Goals from debutants Will Harris and Jack Nolan secured all three points as Clark celebrated his first competitive victory as Pools Head Coach.

Against a strong and physical Barrow side, Pools defended with discipline, pressed with purpose and produced the decisive moments of quality in front of goal.

“I thought the players’ application to the game plan was excellent, but what pleased us most was the fighting spirit, desire and determination,” said Clark.

“Barrow are an extremely strong and physical team. They are going to be up there challenging and they are going to win a lot of games, so we knew we had to match their physical attributes.

“We did that and, when we needed to show a bit of class, we did that as well.”

Pools repeatedly pressed their opponents high up the pitch, winning possession in dangerous areas and offering an early indication of the identity Clark and his coaching staff want to establish at Victoria Park.

“That’s our identity,” he explained.

“Sometimes over the course of the season it might cost us goals because, when you press high, you can get picked off, but we are not going to change.

“We have to have an identity and a game plan. This Club is going to be high-tempo, high-pressing and give everything in every single game.

“We saw glimpses of that during pre-season, but this was the real thing. Jack Hunter set the tone as captain and the rest of the players bought into what we asked them to do.”

With a new management team and a significantly changed squad having worked together for only six weeks, Clark was encouraged by the understanding and commitment shown throughout the group.

“We are a new management team and a new squad of players, with the exception of seven or eight, so it will take time,” he said.

“What the players have shown is an unbelievable mentality and attitude. They buy into the work every single day. 

“When we have reviewed our pre-season games and identified things to improve, the players have taken that information on board and carried it into the next game.

“The players who started did terrifically well, but the substitutes also made a real impact. They brought freshness, carried out the same game plan and allowed us to continue playing on the front foot at a high tempo.”

Harris opened the scoring following inventive play on the left and a cross from Brooklyn Ilunga, marking his competitive debut with an impressive finish.

“It is always great for a striker to get off the mark, especially on his debut,” said Clark.

“It was a great bit of play down the left, Brooklyn delivered an excellent cross and Will produced a magnificent finish.

 “That will be one of many. We are not hoping that will be the case; we know because we have signed a prolific goalscorer.”

Nolan completed the victory with a well-struck effort from 20 yards, capping an influential debut at Victoria Park.

“Jack reminds me of Chris Waddle, who was a player I loved watching when I was growing up,” Clark added.

“He has that ability to slow defenders down and then drop his shoulder. He took his goal really well.

“A lot of our players are going to excite the supporters in different ways. The flair players will do it with their quality, while others will do it through their passion, desire and determination.

“You need all those ingredients to be successful and our players have them in abundance.”

Reiss McNally was voted the supporters’ Player of the Match following an assured defensive display, although Clark believed there were several worthy candidates.

“That would have been a difficult decision because there were many candidates,” he said.

“We are extremely pleased with how Reiss performed, but we are also extremely pleased with every player who came onto the pitch and the contribution they made. The award could have gone to many players.”

Clark also paid tribute to the Victoria Park crowd after taking charge of his first competitive home fixture as Pools Head Coach.

“The supporters were superb,” he said.

“It took me back to when I used to come here many years ago and when I managed against the Club in League One. 

“They have bought into everything. They have backed the new owner, myself and the players by buying season tickets and turning out in unbelievable numbers. 

“I could hear them from inside the dressing room before kick-off. That is motivation in itself because you want to play in front of those supporters. 

“As I have said all along, it is our job to give them the team they deserve. We know that if we do that, they will come in their numbers and support us through thick and thin. It is genuine passion.”