York City vs Hartlepool United on 18 Nov 23 - Match Centre

After last week's frustrating draw, Hartlepool United make the short journey to York City on Saturday (3pm kick-off). It's a return to the LNER Community Stadium for John Askey, but the focus is on three points for Pools.

The Lowdown

Both sides are in the bottom half of the National League after inconsistent starts to the season. Pools' draw last time out extended their winless run to five, with their last victory coming against Eastleigh in early October. Players have been making their comebacks from injury, and Askey will be hoping that it'll have a positive impact as the side head into a run of pre-Christmas fixtures.

York are in 19th place, four points behind Pools. Former Notts County and Solihull Moors manager Neal Ardley is at the helm for York. His side features former Premier League goalkeeper David Stockdale and two former Poolies in Michael Duckworth and Paddy McLaughlin.

Askey, alongside assistant Mark Goodlad, spent a year at the LNER Community Stadium in charge of York. He guided the Minstermen from eleventh to fifth in the National League North, and won the play-offs to gain promotion to the National League.

The History

Saturday will be the 118th encounter between the two clubs, with the record books dating back to 1930. Hartlepool won both of the last meetings in the 2015/16 season with 2-1 scorelines. Billy Paynter and Michael Woods scored on the road, while Nathan Thomas and Woods found the back of the net in the return fixture.

In total, Pools have won 40 fixtures against York. There have been 29 draws, while York have won 48.

Team News

Pete Jameson and Josh Umerah wil be available for selection after recovering from minor injuries. Joe Grey could also return to the squad, having missed last weekend due to illness.

Despite suffering a cut to the head against Ebbsfleet, Joe Mattock is eligible to feature with his head now bandaged up.

Kieran Wallace and Callum Cooke are also available, with both now fully healed from their long-term injuries.

Having been recalled from his loan spell at Darlington, Kieran Burton is eligible to play against York. The defender made six appearances during his time with the Quakers.

Pools captain David Ferguson will be serving a one-game suspension on Saturday after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out.

Mitch Hancox, on loan to Hartlepool from York, is ineligible to feature against his parent club.

Luke Hendrie and Alex Lacey have joined the long-term injury list, with the pair expected to be out of action until January at the earliest.

Dan Dodds and Anthony Mancini remain unavailable due to injury, though Mancini has returned to running. Charlie Seaman's stomach injury and Matty Dolan's knock picked up in the warm-up against Ebbsfleet will be assessed ahead of the fixture.

How to Follow

If you're not part of the strong contingent in York, you can follow all the action via National League TV here. Match passes cost £9.50 and grant you access to all streamed fixtures on the given day. Saturday restrictions have been lifted due to the international break, meaning supporters in the UK can also stream the game.

Hartlepool supporters will be situated in the North Stand and West Stand Overflow section (WG, WH & WI) at the LNER Community Stadium. Please note away tickets have sold out for this fixture.

Hartlepool United returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory away to York City on Saturday afternoon. Pools were denied the clean sheet late into injury time.

John Askey named four changes to the team that drew with Ebbsfleet United last time out. Kieran Wallace and Callum Cooke made their first starts since recovering from long-term injuries, while Brody Paterson and Jake Hastie were deployed at wing-back.

And despite playing in an unfamiliar role, Hastie got Pools off to the best possible start. He was played through on the right flank and outpaced Paddy McLaughlin before burying his chance into the bottom left corner.

Former Hartlepool midfielder McLaughlin had a chance in the 16th minute, swerving a strike over Joel Dixon's goal.

Pools then went up the other end and made it two. Wallace set Tom Crawford on the edge of the box and, on his 99th appearance for the Club, he drove an effort past George Sykes-Kenworthy.

Crawford could've added another with 22 on the clock. He met Nicky Featherstone's corner but a reflex save from Sykes-Kenworthy, and with help from the foot of the post, Pools were denied.

Mani Dieseruvwe and Cooke had decent chances to make it three for Hartlepool, but the pair sent their efforts wide. At the other end, Ryan Fallowfield drove an inviting ball across the face of goal but Manny Onariase was on hand to make a last-ditch clearance.

After the half-time break, Askey's side got their third. On his 550th career appearance, Featherstone slammed home at close-range following a dangerous Pools counter-attack.

York's best chance of the game fell on the hour mark. Dipo Akinyemi found the ball at his feet inside the six-yard box but a combination of Dixon and Onariase somehow kept the striker out.

A string of chances came Hartlepool's way in the dying minutes. Kieran Burton and Crawford forced strong saves from Sykes-Kenworthy, while Cooke was stopped by Callum Howe's sliding block.

Tyler Cordner scored a consolation in the 94th minute for York. The centre-back powerfully met a corner, guiding his header past Dixon.

After securing their first win in six, Pools now turn their attention to Tuesday night's trip to Kidderminster Harriers.

Pools: Dixon, Johnson, Onariase, Mattock, Hastie (Burton 63), Paterson (Grey 78), Wallace, Featherstone, Crawford, Cooke (Umerah 86), Dieseruvwe

Subs (not used): Jameson, Wreh

Goals: Hastie (7), Crawford (17), Featherstone 51)

York goal: Cordner (90+4)

Attendance: 6265 (1502 away)

Hartlepool United Football Club

Standings

Match Preview: Hartlepool set for York clash

Match Report: Pools dominate York in away win