We turn our focus to Good Friday's action with a full and in-depth preview of FC Halifax Town's visit to The Super 6 Stadium.
Pools v FC Halifax Town
National League
Friday 19th April 2019, 3pm
The Super 6 Stadium
In Opposition
FC Halifax Town have enjoyed another strong campaign after re-establishing themselves at National League level with a 16th place finish following promotion.
The Shaymen started the current campaign in top form and were leading the pack at the end of the first month having collected 15 points from a possible 21 during August.
Since then wins have been a little harder to come by but they have remained hard to beat – indeed, they have drawn more league games (20) this season than any other side in the top five divisions so far.
Town have drawn three of their last four games ahead of Friday's visit to The Super 6 Stadium but, like Pools, they will be targeting a strong finish to the current campaign.
On paper their run-in is a tricky one given they still have promotion-chasing Wrexham and AFC Fylde to come but a strong eight days could yet see them finish in the top half of the table.
Star Player
Devante Rodney has hit a rich vein of form since joining FC Halifax Town on loan from Salford City in February and he will be looking forward to his return to The Super 6 Stadium.
The former Pools man moved on during the summer after 18 months at the Club but has found opportunities limited at The Peninsula Stadium and was subsequently allowed to leave on loan.
Since arriving at The Shay, the 20-year-old has hit the net five times in 9 outings, including a spectacular strike in Town's 2-2 draw at Leyton Orient a fortnight ago.
Head To Head
Good Friday's game will be the 107th competitive meeting between the two sides and it's Halifax who have enjoyed the edge historically, having won 56 times to Pools' 48.
However, Pools have taken all three points on four of the last five occasions the two teams have played each other and The Shaymen haven't won in Hartlepool since August 1999.
There has only been one draw between the sides in the last seven games and the last time there was a goalless draw was right back in March 1968.
Last Meeting
Saturday 22nd September 2018
FC Halifax Town 1 (Hanson 88) Pools 2 (Noble pen 52, Featherstone 64)
FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Clarke, Brown (s/o 49), Hanson, Sellers, Kosylo (s/o 56), Lenighan, Berrett, Southwell (Maher 54), Edwards (Odelusi 70), Preston.
Subs not used: Rowley, King, McLeod.
Pools: Loach, Kioso, Magnay, Davies (Richardson 68), Anderson, Kitching, Featherstone, McLaughlin, Noble, Muir (Dinanga 79), James (Hawkes 79).
Subs not used: Woods, Newton.
Referee
Simeon Lucas will be the man in the middle for our Good Friday encounter with FC Halifax Town in what will be his second Pools game of the campaign.
Ironically, Lucas' last outing was also for a game involving Pools – he was on the whistle for our wind-spoilt trip to AFC Fylde last month.
Now in his second season on the National League's list of officials, Lucas refereed Pools on four occasions during the 2017/18 campaign – including a year ago yesterday when he oversaw our 1-1 draw with Torquay United here.
Live Coverage
Fans all over the world will be able to listen to full live commentary of Friday's game on Pools PlayerHD in the company of Brian Honour and Mark Simpson.
The lads will be on-air live from 2.50pm to bring you all the latest team news and build-up to kick-off before describing the action as it unfolds against The Shaymen.
Click here for more information on Pools PlayerHD.
Tickets
Fans can purchase tickets in advance from The Super 6 Stadium Ticket Office which is open from 12noon until kick-off on Friday.
We'll also be opening a Matchday Ticket Office behind the EDC Neale Cooper Stand at 1.30pm for fans to go along and buy their tickets.
Click here for more information on buying tickets for games at The Super 6 Stadium.
Betting
Pools have been installed as 21/20 favourites for three points on Friday, with visitors Halifax priced up at 11/5 for a win and the draw rated an 11/5 shot with the bookies.
Click here now to take a look at all the latest odds and price boosts with our friends at Sky Bet.