Hartlepool United travel to The Shay on Tuesday night looking to return to winning ways against FC Halifax Town in the Enterprise National League.

Pools began the campaign with successive victories and clean sheets against Barrow and Aldershot Town before narrow defeats against Sutton United and Eastleigh brought their perfect start to an end.

Halifax have collected three points from their opening four fixtures under new manager John McGrath. The Shaymen lost to Forest Green Rovers and Boreham Wood before defeating Tamworth but were beaten at Altrincham on Friday night.

Pools head into the 7.45pm kick-off with six points from their opening four fixtures, three more than their hosts.

Pools Look to Respond

Lee Clark’s side made an encouraging start to the campaign with an assured 2-0 victory over Barrow at Victoria Park.

Will Harris opened the scoring with an excellent half-volley before Jack Nolan marked his competitive debut by finding the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

A different test followed at Aldershot, where Pools remained patient and disciplined before substitute Corey McKeown scored the only goal of the game ten minutes after his introduction.

The standards established during those opening victories were not maintained at Sutton United.

First-half goals from Temi Babalola and Emmanuel Osadebe put the hosts in control before McKeown reduced the deficit with his second goal in successive games. Pools pushed for an equaliser after the interval but were unable to complete the recovery.

Friday night’s defeat against Eastleigh arrived in very different circumstances.Neo Eccleston was shown a second yellow card immediately after the restart, leaving Pools to play virtually the entire second half with ten men.

Clark’s side defended with discipline and determination despite their numerical disadvantage, while Max Merrick produced several important saves to keep the game goalless.

Their resistance was eventually broken deep into added time when Nelson Khumbeni struck from the edge of the penalty area to secure a 1-0 victory for the visitors.

It was a cruel conclusion to a performance that demonstrated the courage and character within Clark’s squad. Tuesday provides an immediate opportunity for Pools to channel those qualities into a positive result.

The Opposition

FC Halifax Town finished eighth in the National League last season, collecting 70 points from their 46 fixtures and ending the campaign two points above Pools.

John McGrath was appointed First Team Manager in May following two successful seasons with Buxton, where he secured consecutive National League North play-off finishes.

McGrath reshaped the Halifax squad during the summer, with Conor Carty and Zak Gilsenan among the most notable additions.

The Shaymen began their season with a 3-2 defeat at Forest Green despite taking an early lead through Will Flint. Forest Green scored three times after the interval before Gilsenan reduced the deficit with a stoppage-time free-kick.

A 3-1 home defeat against Boreham Wood followed before Halifax produced an emphatic response by beating Tamworth 4-1 at The Shay.

Carty opened the scoring before Gilsenan struck twice in four minutes to put the hosts in complete control. Ben Tollitt added a fourth shortly after the restart with an excellent long-range finish.

Halifax were unable to build on that result at Altrincham on Friday. First-half goals from Jimmy Knowles and Tom Crawford proved decisive, with Matty Kosylo’s late own goal unable to prevent a 2-1 defeat.

Halifax’s Threat

Halifax have scored eight goals during their opening four league fixtures, with Gilsenan responsible for three of them.

McGrath has generally used a variation of 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1, with Carty operating as the central striker and Gilsenan advancing from midfield.

Gilsenan can receive possession between the lines, carry the ball past opponents and threaten from distance. Carty provides a focal point at the top of the pitch, while Tollitt has scored twice and offers another threat from the wide areas.

Halifax are particularly dangerous when they regain possession in advanced positions. Their opening goal against Tamworth came from pressure on a loose back-pass, while Gilsenan’s second followed another turnover.

Pools will need to remain composed in possession and restrict the space available to Gilsenan around the penalty area.

There should also be opportunities at the other end. Halifax have conceded nine times and are yet to keep a league clean sheet, allowing at least two goals in three of their four fixtures.

Recent Meetings

The sides shared one victory apiece last season, with both fixtures ending 1-0 to the away team.

Pools claimed all three points at The Shay in November through Adam Campbell’s 71st-minute goal. George Evans had earlier saved a penalty from Will Harris before Campbell converted after Besart Topallaj’s delivery was blocked into his path.

Halifax reversed the result at Victoria Park in March. Pools created the better opportunities for much of the contest, with Tyrese Sinclair striking the crossbar from a free-kick, but Harris decided the game nine minutes from time with a powerful finish from 25 yards.

Tuesday will be the seventh meeting between the clubs since Pools returned to the National League in 2023.

The View from Lee Clark

Clark wants Pools to carry the courage and determination shown against Eastleigh into Tuesday night’s fixture.

“That second half was inspirational,” said Clark.

“We were a man down but continued to create chances. We stayed brave, kept two players up the pitch and tried to win the game.

“To come off the pitch with nothing to show for an unbelievable effort is galling for the players, but I can’t be anything other than proud.”

Tuesday’s game completes a demanding run of three fixtures in eight days, with Clark prepared to use the depth of his squad.

“We have a big squad and players will get opportunities because we may need to freshen things up,” he added.

“We know Halifax are a very good side and we’re expecting another tough match, but if we show that same intensity and bravery with 11 players on the pitch, we’ll get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.”

Halifax Fact File

Full name: FC Halifax Town
Nickname: The Shaymen
Founded: 2008
Ground: The Shay
First Team Manager: John McGrath
2025/26 league finish: Eighth
Current position: 18th
League record: Played four, won one, lost three
Last league result: Altrincham 2-1 FC Halifax Town

The Manager: John McGrath

McGrath took charge at The Shay in May after guiding Buxton to consecutive National League North play-off finishes.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international previously spent nine years with Mickleover, initially as a player before becoming player-manager in 2016.

His playing career included almost 200 EFL appearances and promotion-winning spells with Doncaster Rovers, Weymouth and Burton Albion.

One to Watch: Zak Gilsenan

Gilsenan has scored three times during his opening four league appearances for Halifax.

The 23-year-old began his career with Blackburn Rovers and represented the Republic of Ireland at youth and Under-21 level before joining Grimsby Town.

He opened his Halifax account with a stoppage-time free-kick at Forest Green before scoring twice during the 4-1 victory over Tamworth.

His close control, movement and ability to operate between the lines make him an important part of McGrath’s attack.

Did You Know?

FC Halifax Town were formed in 2008 following the closure of Halifax Town AFC. The reformed club earned three promotions in five seasons to reach the National League in 2013 and returned to the fifth tier in 2017 after one season in National League North.