Hartlepool United return to Enterprise National League action this afternoon with a trip to league leaders Boreham Wood at the Mangata Developments Stadium (3pm KO).

The opposition

Boreham Wood sit top of the National League table after 15 matches, with Luke Gerrard’s side still unbeaten in the league this season.

Gerrard guided the club to a fourth-place finish last season and on to the play-off final, where they were beaten on penalties by Rochdale.

The Wood have collected 41 points from 15 games so far this season with 13 wins and two draws. Gerrard’s side have scored 40 goals and conceded only 14 times, the joint-best defensive record in the division.

In their most recent outing, the league leaders came from behind to beat Woking 2-1, extending their winning run to nine successive matches in all competitions, with eight of them coming in the National League.

Forward Matt Rush leads the club’s scoring charts and is the National League’s top marksman, having netted nine goals in nine appearances so far.

Factfile

Nickname: The Wood
Founded: 1948 (78 years ago)
Ground: Mangata Developments Stadium (Capacity – 4,500)
Chairman: Danny Hunter
Last season: National League (4th of 24 – runners-up in play-off final)

Pools

Pete Wild’s side sit 20th in the league table, having so far won five and lost 10 of their 15 league outings this campaign.

Hartlepool United were beaten 3-1 by AFC Fylde on Tuesday evening, despite taking an early lead through Will Harris. The Coasters hit back with three late goals from Luke McCormick, Millar Matthews-Lewis and Jack Morris to complete the comeback.

The result brought an end to a run of back-to-back victories for Pete Wild’s side, who will now look to return to winning ways.

Team news

Max Merrick returns to the squad after missing Tuesday night’s trip to Mill Farm and will replace Adam Smith in goal.

Nathan Fisher has recovered from illness, but Neo Eccleston remains unavailable as he serves the second of a three-game suspension.

Charlie Thornton, Cam John, Jay Benn, Corey McKeown and Owen Hampson all continue their recoveries from injury.

Last five meetings

April 2026: Boreham Wood 3-0 Hartlepool United

August 2025: Hartlepool United 0-0 Boreham Wood

February 2024: Hartlepool United 3-1 Boreham Wood

October 2023: Boreham Wood 1-0 Hartlepool United

April 2021: Boreham Wood 2-2 Hartlepool United