Match Preview: Pools battle Boreham Wood

17 February 2024

Unbeaten in three, Hartlepool United return to home action as Boreham Wood head to the Suit Direct Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off). Two wins and a draw have given Pools a much-needed boost ahead of the Wood's visit.

The Lowdown

Recent form has seen Kevin Phillips' side climb to 11th in the National League table, seven points off the play-off places. Last time out, in front of the TV cameras, Pools were forced to settle for a point away to Woking after a last-minute goal from the hosts.

Boreham Wood are a point behind Pools, sitting in 13th place. Luke Garrard is in the hotseat, and his side have two wins from their last five games, both 1-0 victories. They travelled to Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night, losing 2-1 despite taking the lead.

The History

The sides have met nine times previously, with each team recording two victories. Earlier this season, the Wood ran out 1-0 winners. Pools last beat Boreham Wood in February 2019 - braces from Nicke Kabamba and Josh Hawkes gave Pools a 4-0 away win.

Team News

Otis Khan, Josh Umerah and Dan Dodds all remain sidelined. Courtney Duffus and Anthony Mancini are also expected to miss out after suffering further setbacks in training.

Alex Lacey is back in full training after a long-term lay off, and Chay Cooper will be eligible to make his Pools debut after signing on loan from Colchester United.

How to Follow

Ticketing and supporter information can be found here.

If you're not joining us on Saturday, you can follow the action via National League TV here. Match passes cost £9.50 and grant you access to all streamed fixtures on the given day. Please note that matches at 3pm on a Saturday are not streamed in the UK, so audio-only coverage is available.

Match Reports

Match Report: Late drama as Pools brave off Boreham Wood

17 February 2024

Late goals from Mani Dieseruvwe and Luke Waterfall secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood at the Suit Direct Stadium.

Kevin Phillips made one change to the side that secured a point at Woking last week, with Brennan Dickinson replacing the injured Courtney Senior out wide. New signing Chay Cooper was also named on the bench, having signed less than 24 hours before kick-off.

The Suit Direct Stadium was stunned inside the opening minute, as Boreham Wood forward Kabongo Tshimanga slid the ball past Joel Dixon to give the visitors an early lead.

Pools’ heads didn’t drop though, with Dickinson responding with a few decent chances himself but he couldn’t find target.

Phillips’ men remained committed to the cause and found their reward on the stroke of half-time. Callum Cooke split the Boreham Wood defence in two with a brilliant pass to find Grey, who coolly slotted the ball past Nathan Ashmore at his near post.

In contrast to the opening 45 minutes, Pools started the second half much stronger as Tom Crawford’s long-range strike forced an impressive save from Ashmore.

After a quiet half hour, debutant Cooper found himself through on goal after a fantastic piece of distribution from Dixon, but the winger just saw his effort curl the wrong side of the post.

The visitors responded with a spell of pressure themselves, with Angelo Balanta and Tyrone Marsh both squandering half chances.

In the 84th minute, Dieseruvwe headed home a David Ferguson cross to give Pools a well-earned lead and send the Pools faithful into chorus.

Pools held the pressure and were rewarded just minutes later when Waterfall bundled the ball home from a set-piece, securing the three points in the process.

The victory moves Pools up to 10th in the National League, just six points off the play-off places.

Pools: Dixon, Hendrie, Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson, Featherstone, Crawford, Dickinson (Cooper 66), Cooke (Stephenson 82), Grey (Wallace 87), Dieseruvwe

Subs (not used): Jameson, Onariase

Goals: Grey (45), Dieseruvwe (84), Waterfall (87)

Boreham Wood goal: Tshimanga (1)

Hartlepool United Football Club

Standings

Match Preview: Pools battle Boreham Wood

Match Report: Late drama as Pools brave off Boreham Wood