Pools Academy continued their pre-season campaign as they look to build towards their respective divisions.

We continued our preparations with the Academy over the past 10 days with more fixtures and minutes for the players.

A mix of second and third years travelled to Bradford (Park Avenue), putting in a below-par performance eventually losing the game 3-1 with Thornton getting himself on the scoresheet.

Our first years hosted Middlesbrough 15/16s at Blackhall on the same day, with an excellent display and some well worked goals, the first years came out 4-2 victors with goals from Khrystenko, Rukin & Raitt (2).

Poolies U19s then travelled to Middlesbrough FC on Saturday to face the Category One Academy U18s side. A competitive game that could have gone either way ended up in a 2-1 defeat with Hounsell getting the only goal for the Pools.

The U19s had a quick turn around hosting Harrogate Town at Blackhall on Tuesday, eventually winning the game 4-1 with goals from Flint, Hounsell, Rukin and Wood.

“Preparations are going well for our teams, very pleased with where we have got to in the first month and we are looking forward to getting the season underway”, said Academy Manager Alex Cross.

“We have been competitive across the board pre-season with fixtures against Category 1 & 2 clubs with EFL opponents, Senior Teams and local U18s, giving us a good variety in our games programme. Our staff have settled in well and we are all excited to see how the next few weeks go.”

There are more fixtures coming up as a mixed team will face Yorkshire Ammers with the U17s hosting Blyth before the U19s travel to Blyth to complete their pre-season games programme.