Sutton United

3:00pm
08/02/2025
Gander Green Lane

Hartlepool United
Sutton United

Results
1-2

Hartlepool United
Two late goals secured a vital win on the road for Hartlepool United against play-off chasing rivals Sutton United.
A Jack Taylor own goal four minutes from time gave Pools victory at the VBS Community Stadium to leapfrog their hosts, who had started the day unbeaten in eight games.
Pools are up top 10th in the table ahead of a run of three successive games at the Prestige Group Stadium, starting with the visit of Tamworth on Tuesday evening.
Head coach Anthony Limbrick, who swapped places in the pecking order with Lennie Lawrence this week, made two changes to his starting XI in South West London.
One was enforced with Tom Parkes ruled out, while Luke Charman stepped down to the bench, with Dan Dodds and Jack Hunter coming into the starting XI.
Given the positions of both clubs in the table, this was a vital meeting between two sides eying the final play-off place.
Pools had the majority of play in the first half and created the opening opportunity when Reyes Cleary had a stab at goal after playing a one-two with Gary Madine, but U’s goalkeeper Jack Sims saved low down.
The home stopper also produced a crucial stop to keep out Mani Dieseruvwe and claimed Luke Waterfall’s header from David Ferguson’s corner.
Pools threatened again on the half-hour from another Ferguson corner which saw Madine’s effort blocked at point-blank range.
Cleary’s energy and running were causing Sutton all sorts of trouble but the ambers were able to clear on 37 minutes from the wingback’s cross.
Before the break, Nicky Featherstone’s deep free-kick dropped to Waterfall, but the captain put his attempt past the post.
Having had so much play in the first half, it proved a kick to the stomach when the visitors conceded a goal inside 50 seconds of the second period.
Pools were caught completely off their board when Dillon De Silva superbly reached the byline before picking out Will Davies, who found the net from close-range for his 11th goal in 10 games.
With their tails up, the U’s went forward again when Davies sent sub Ashley Nadesan away but his attempt was a tame one and landed straight into the gloves of Adam Smith.
Limbrick brought on subs Charman and Sam Folarin as the Head Coach made another change in system.
Pools were coming on strong and an equaliser arrived 15 minutes from time when Adam Campbell’s strike was deflected into the path of Madine, who converted from close-range.
It lit the fuse on an explosive period from the team in sky blue.
First, Campbell’s shot stayed out after a fantastic last-gasp block from Sutton defender Alex Kirk before Cleary was denied by Sims, who somehow also kept out Campbell’s follow up effort.
But Pools were not to be denied.
When the away side won an 86th-minute corner, Ferguson’s delivery was put into his own net by sub Taylor.
Having done the hard work in turning around the deficit, Pools were in no mood to buckle in the remaining minutes and came away with three deserved points.
Pools: Smith, Hunter (Charman 62), Waterfall, Ferguson, Dodds, Featherstone (Folarin 71), Campbell, Sheron, Cleary (Robinson 90), Madine (Sloggett 86), Dieseruvwe
Subs (not used): Dixon, Sass-Davies