Hartlepool United make their first away trip of the 2026/27 Enterprise National League season on Saturday, travelling to the EBB Stadium to face Aldershot Town.

Pools head to Hampshire looking to build on an impressive opening afternoon at Victoria Park, where goals from debutants Will Harris and Jack Nolan secured a 2-0 victory over Barrow.

Aldershot also began the campaign with three points and a clean sheet, John Gilbert scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at Boston United.

With both sides entering the weekend under new management and following winning starts, another competitive test awaits.

Off the Mark

Lee Clark’s first league game as Pools Head Coach delivered the result and many of the qualities he wants his team to display.

Pools matched a strong Barrow side physically, pressed with purpose and produced two moments of quality in the final third.

Harris opened the scoring in the 39th minute. Jamie Miley’s quickly taken free-kick released Brooklyn Ilunga on the left and, when the resulting cross was only partially cleared, the striker sent a superb half-volley into the top corner.

Nolan completed the victory five minutes from time, finding the net with an excellent finish from outside the penalty area to cap an influential competitive debut.

Both summer signings offered an early glimpse of what they can bring. Harris led the line with strength and intelligence, while Nolan’s direct running and ability to take on defenders provided a regular attacking threat.

At the other end, Reiss McNally was voted the supporters’ Player of the Match following an assured defensive display, while goalkeeper Max Merrick marked his league debut with a clean sheet.

Pools were also forced to adapt after Jay Benn and Liam Gibson were withdrawn through injury during the second half. Neo Eccleston and Maxim Kouogun settled quickly from the bench and helped Clark’s side protect its advantage.

The focus now turns to making it two wins from the opening two games of the National League campaign.

First Trip of the Season

Saturday’s game will present a different challenge for a squad featuring 13 summer arrivals.

Captain Jack Hunter and Miley set the tone in midfield against Barrow, while the substitutes ensured Pools retained their energy and organisation during the closing stages.

Aldershot will be playing at the EBB Stadium for the first time this season and will return home with confidence after winning at Boston despite naming 11 competitive debutants in their starting line-up.

Recent meetings have favoured the Shots, who won both league encounters last season. Pools will therefore need to match the intensity of the home side while continuing to show the discipline and attacking quality that secured three points on the opening weekend.

The Opposition

Aldershot appointed Scott Davies as First-Team Manager in April following the conclusion of their 2025/26 campaign.

The 38-year-old brought a 20-year playing career to an end to accept his first full-time managerial position, having completed three full seasons as player-manager of Slough Town.

Davies already shares a strong connection with Aldershot. He made more than 90 appearances across three loan spells and was part of the team that won promotion to the Football League with a club-record 101 points in 2007/08.

His first close season in charge brought considerable change, with a completely reshaped side taking to the field at Boston.

Former Pools goalkeeper Nick Hayes kept a clean sheet on his Aldershot debut, while Kiki Oshilaja and Michael Stickland started in central defence after being appointed joint club captains.

The Shots broke the deadlock during the second half when Gilbert completed an incisive attacking move involving Marcus Dinanga, giving Davies a winning start to his time in charge.

Aldershot’s opening result followed a productive pre-season in which several new partnerships began to take shape. Their squad combines experience at National League level with younger players looking to establish themselves in the division.

Dinanga offers pace, movement and a proven presence through the middle, while Michee Efete adds considerable experience to the defence.

Davies has also recruited 21-year-old winger Hakeem Sandah from Farnborough. Named both Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year last season, Sandah provides direct running and can operate from either flank.

Recent Meetings

Aldershot completed a league double over Pools during the 2025/26 season.

Cameron Hargreaves scored the only goal when the sides met at the EBB Stadium in September, before the Shots recorded a 3-0 victory at Victoria Park in January.

Aldershot also won a five-goal contest in Hampshire in February 2025, with Josh Barrett scoring in stoppage time to secure a 3-2 victory.

Pools’ most recent success in the fixture came at Victoria Park in October 2024, when goals from Luke Charman and Mani Dieseruvwe sealed a 2-0 win.

The View from Lee Clark

“We were delighted to start with three points against Barrow. I thought the players carried out the game plan really well, competed for everything and showed real quality with the two goals. Keeping a clean sheet was also important because that came from the work the whole team put in.

“But once that game was finished, our attention turned straight to Aldershot. They had an excellent result at Boston, especially with so many new players making their debuts, so we know we are going there to face a confident team.

“It will be their first home game of the season and we expect a tough afternoon. We will need to compete, stay disciplined and show the same togetherness we showed against Barrow.

“It is our first away game of the season and we want to build on Saturday’s performance. We respect Aldershot and understand the challenge, but we believe in this group and will go there looking to deliver another strong performance.”

Aldershot Town Fact File

Full name: Aldershot Town Football Club
Nickname: The Shots
Founded: 1992
Ground: EBB Stadium

Capacity: 7,100
Manager: Scott Davies
2025/26 league finish: 20th
Opening result: Boston United 0-1 Aldershot Town

The Manager: Scott Davies

Davies arrived at the EBB Stadium after establishing his managerial credentials with Slough Town.

Appointed player-manager in November 2022, he maintained the club’s National League South status across three full seasons and guided the Rebels to the first round of the Emirates FA Cup in 2023/24, where they took League Two side Grimsby Town to a replay.

The former Reading, Wycombe Wanderers and Crawley Town midfielder made 135 appearances in the EFL during a playing career spanning two decades. He is assisted by Mark Jones, the former Oxford City, Banbury United and Hemel Hempstead Town manager.

One to Watch: John Gilbert

Gilbert made the decisive contribution on the opening weekend, scoring Aldershot’s winner at Boston. The midfielder supported the attack well and produced a composed finish to give his side all three points. His willingness to advance from midfield will require close attention as the Shots look to build on their winning start.

Did You Know?

Davies scored the goal that confirmed Aldershot’s promotion to the Football League during the Club’s record-breaking 2007/08 campaign.

The Shots finished the season with 101 points, winning the Conference Premier title and returning to the EFL for the first time following the Club’s formation in 1992.