Hebburn Town 2-3 Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United made it four wins from four so far in pre-season with a 3-2 win over Hebburn Town on Tuesday.
Luke Charman’s first goal in pre-season had given Lee Clark’s side an early lead, before Kian Foreman levelled for the hosts.
But, two goals in six second-half minutes from Max Kouogun and Chris Popov secured victory against the National League North side, despite Jake Charles’ late consolation.
Both sides traded the early openings at the Trustmark Group Stadium, as Popov forced the Hebburn ‘keeper into a low save, before Elliot Forbes’ shot rolled into the gloves of Trialist A.
After 17 minutes, Clark’s side struck first. A low cross from the left was drilled all the way to the back post, where Charman fired the ball past Callum Dobson.
Pools almost had a second shortly after, when Popov’s effort was tipped around the post by Dobson, before Charlie Thornton fired over from distance.
Yet, the hosts levelled with 36 minutes on the clock, as Foreman whipped an effort into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area.
Hebburn almost snatched the lead in the opening minutes of the second half, as Josh Donaldson was narrowly behind Liam Murray’s low cross across the face of goal.
However, the visitors retook the lead on the hour mark, when Kouogun headed home from point-blank range from Corey McKeown’s corner.
Pools doubled their advantage six minutes later, as Popov pounced on a loose defensive pass and Dobson’s slip to tap into the back of an empty net.
McKeown almost added a fourth – but his effort from outside of the box curled narrowly wide of the right post.
Hebburn pulled one back late on, when Charles drilled an effort past Trialist A and into the top right corner.
Clark’s side return to the Prestige Group Stadium, as they host Grimsby Town on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Goals: Foreman 36’, Charles 89’; Charman 17’, Kouogun 60’, Popov 66’
Hartlepool United: Trialist A, Darcy, Kouogun, Penman, Trialist B, Charman, Thornton, Sheron ©, McKeown (Aungiers 78’), Bondo, Popov
