Match Preview: Pools make the trip to Eastleigh

23 March 2024

Hartlepool United make their longest trip of the season on Saturday afternoon, with a visit to Eastleigh's Silverlake Stadium in National League action.

The Lowdown

Pools are currently winless in three, however Kevin Phillips' side showed great defensive strength last time out to take a clean sheet and point against Southend United. With eight games to go, Hartlepool currently sit 13th in the league table.

Eastleigh, who haven't won in four, are 18th in the table with just two less points than Pools. Last time out, the Spitfires were defeated 2-1 at Barnet. Their forward Paul McCallum is top of the league scoring charts, with 30 goals in 32 appearances.

The History

Saturday's fixture will be the 16th meeting between the two sides. Hartlepool have won twice, in January 2020 and the reverse fixture back in October when a Tom Crawford goal and Mani Dieseruvwe brace set up a 3-1 victory.

Team News

After missing last week's game through illness, Joe Grey has trained this week and is expected to be available for selection.

Dan Dodds, Luke Hendrie, Anthony Mancini, Otis Khan and Josh Umerah all remain sidelined for Saturday's fixture. Khan, however, is expected to return to training within the next week.

How to Follow

Ticketing and supporter information can be found here.

If you're not joining us at Eastleigh, 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: Spoils shared against Spitfires

23 March 2024

Pools were forced to settle for a point at Eastleigh's Silverlake Stadium after a late penalty decision on Non-League Day.

Kevin Phillips' side made their longest trip of the season naming two changes to the starting line-up. Joe Grey and Terrell Agyemang entered the fray, in replace of Brennan Dickenson and Chay Cooper.

And Pools got off to a great start as the returning Grey found the back of the net on 20 minutes. It was a great team move, which started all the way from keeper Pete Jameson, and resulted in Agyemang crossing into Grey to slot home.

Eastleigh had their chance a few minutes later as Chris Maguire stood over a free-kick, though his effort dipped narrowly past the post.

As the heavens opened on the Silverlake Stadium, chances were hard to come by for the rest of the first half. Callum Cooke did get a shot off from distance late on, but the Eastleigh keeper got down well.

Agyemang was a lively customer on the left flank, and carved out a promising opening in the 54th minute however Cooke fizzed his strike wide.

Eastleigh grew into the game as Paul McCallum directed a header at Jameson, while Enzio Boldewijn hit the side netting from a tight angle.

And their equaliser came on 78 minutes as the referee called for handball against Nicky Featherstone. Maguire stepped forward and slotted the penalty just out of Jameson's reach into the bottom left corner.

It was end-to-end in the remaining stages. Soloman Nwabuokei had the best chance for Eastleigh, though Jameson got down to save his strike at close-range.

With a point added to the tally, Pools now turn their focus to Tuesday's trip to Gateshead.

Pools: Jameson, Lacey (Onariase 59), Waterfall, Parkes, Ferguson, Featherstone, Crawford, Grey, Cooke (Cooper 90), Agyemang (Stephenson 84), Dieseruvwe

Subs (not used): Dixon, Duffus

Goals: Grey (20)

Hartlepool United Football Club

Standings

Match Preview: Pools make the trip to Eastleigh

Match Report: Spoils shared against Spitfires