Both our U16s and U19s recorded historic victories last week while our SYT suffered defeat away from home.
Here’s everything you need to know…
U19s
Our U19s stormed to an incredible 5-0 victory over South Shields in the Academy Cup. It marked the first time a Hartlepool youth team had scored five in a game since 2023!
Alex Cross’s side pressed aggressively in the opening stages and after just six minutes, found their well-deserved opener, courtesy of a lovely chip from Joe Aungiers.
It wouldn’t be long until we had a second as Kian Foreman found the net in the 23rd minute with a fantastic long-range strike to give Pools a two-goal cushion.
After soaking up the pressure from Shields in the second half, Pools found their third in the 75th minute, when Foreman capitalised on a mistake at the back and found himself one on one with the keeper, before unselfishly squaring the ball to Jake Worth who tapped home.
As the visitors searched for a goal, it took Pools only eight minutes to capitalise on their high line and get a fourth, Joe Aungiers broke through and tucked his shot underneath the Shields keeper, getting his second of the match.
In the dying stages of the game, Charlie Thornton sealed the win in style and made it an historic victory with a composed finish into the bottom left corner.
Manager Alex Cross: “We didn’t allow them [South Shields] to utilise their spell in the game, and I thought the lads were brilliant, every single one of them.”
U16s
Our U16s stunned the JPL Premier League leaders with a 3-0 victory over UFCA who were unbeaten coming into the fixture.
After a tightly fought first half, Damian Shanahan’s side broke the deadlock just 13 minutes into the second half when a corner into the box was poorly cleared by UFCA, which allowed Indie Coates to pounce and blast home from close range.
20 minutes later, Pools extended their advantage in similar fashion to the first goal, when another ball was poorly cleared by UFCA, this time falling to feet of Zack Smith who fired past the keeper.
It took just two minutes for Pools to find their third and Coates his second, when he capitalised through a flick-on header which allowed him to drive past the UFCA defence, before rounding the goalkeeper and sealing victory for our U16s.
Following the result, Pools move up to sixth in the JPL Premier League with two games in hand on the league leaders.
Manager Damian Shanahan: “As a newly formed side I could see the quality we have individually at every training session despite struggling to close games out.
“This Saturday, everything clicked into place, it was a team effort against the top of the league side who were undefeated this season, it’s a fantastic feat for the lads.”
SYT
Our SYT squad suffered a tough 6-2 loss to Bridlington Town in the National Youth League.
Despite a tough challenge, our lads battled hard and found themselves a well-deserved goal, after good build up play down the left-hand side, Charlie Metters was played through and found the net past the Bridlington keeper.
Pools found their second constellation from a remarkable distance, when James Spark decided to shoot from kick-off, catching the Bridlington keeper off his line.
Following the result, the SYT sit 10th in the table.
Manager Paul Johnson: “The game was a tough learning experience from a defending perspective for the team, playing against an opposition who were very quick and direct.
“However, I can’t fault the lad’s commitment as they never gave up when the score line was going against them and managed to battle back in the game to score two.”
