Hartlepool United began their 2025-26 pre-season with a 3-0 win over FC Hartlepool at Grayfields Enclosure in Simon Grayson’s first game as First Team Manager.

A goal from a Trialist in the first half gave Pools a lead going into the interval, as Sam Folarin and Kian Foreman added to the scoresheet in the second half to wrap up the game.

Tom Parkes had the best chances the early stages as he saw headers pushed away from consecutive corners.

The first goal of the afternoon came from a Pools Trialsist in the 40th minute, getting on the end of a long ball and lobbing the ball over the FC Hartlepool goalkeeper.

Grayson made a straight swap at half-time, with a fresh 11 getting a run out for the second half.

After the break, it was more of the same from Pools, constantly testing the FC shotstopper.

Sam Folarin doubled the lead for Pools after 49 minutes, firing across the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.

Kian Foreman added a third five minutes later from close range.

The game finished 3-0 to Pools in a good exercise for both Hartlepool clubs in front of a record crowd of 1,516 at Grayfields Enclosure.

Pools: Smith, Benn, Darcy, Parkes (C), Trialist, Trialist, Walker, Hunter, Campbell, Charman, Trialist

Subs: Trialist, Stephenson, McNally, Trialist, Trialist, Folarin, Sheron, Miley, Trialist, Trialist, Foreman

Goals: Trialist (40’), Folarin (49’), Foreman (53’)

Attendance: 1,516