Chorley v Hartlepool United
National League
Saturday 24th August 2019, 3pm
Victory Park
In Opposition
Chorley's return to the National League was achieved in dramatic circumstances at the end of last season as they overcame Spennymoor Town in a tense Promotion Final penalty shootout.
It's the first time in 29 years that the club has played its
football in the fifth tier but they have endured a tricky start and are yet to
collect their first victory.After drawing their opening three games, The Magpies were
beaten 6-1 on home soil by Solihull Moors and followed that up with a 4-1
defeat at Maidenhead United last time out.Chorley missed a penalty in Saturday's game at York Road
which could have brought them level at 2-2 but then conceded twice in
injury-time during what boss Jamie Vermiglio labelled a “sloppy” performance.However, the scoreline was harsh on Vermiglio's men who had
their fair share of the chances against their fellow Magpies and they'll be
hoping to find a more ruthless streak when they host Pools this weekend.One To Watch
Chris Holroyd has been brought in by Chorley during the summer and adds some vast experience to the forward line following their return to the National League.
The former Macclesfield Town and Wrexham forward got off the
mark for The Magpies when he netted during the 2-2 draw at Sutton United and
will hope that can be the first of many.Having spent the last two years in the National League with
Wrexham, Holroyd knows exactly what this level is all about and has the ability
to pose a real threat to Pools on Saturday.Head To Head
Saturday's game will be only the second competitive meeting between the sides – the only other encounter came in the FA Cup all the way back in November 1987.
On that occasion, John Bird's Pools avoided a slip-up when
they triumphed 2-0 at Victory Park thanks to goals from Paul Baker and Dean
Gibb.Last Meeting
Chorley 0 Pools 2
Saturday 14th November 1987
Chorley: D'Arcy, Lloyd, Peters, Nicholl, Pawsey, Phillips, Buckley, Hughes, Moss, Redshaw, Brady.
Subs: Marsden, Edwards.
Pools: Carr, Haigh, McKinnon, Nobbs, Smith, Stokes, Honour, Toman, Baker, Gibb, Butler.
Subs: Dixon, Barratt.
On The Whistle
Peter Gibbons will take charge of his third Pools game this weekend when he's the man in the middle for our meeting with Chorley at Victory Park.
Now in to his third full season on the National League's
list of referees, Gibbons oversaw our 3-1 win over Maidstone United at The Vic
in September 2017 as well as our 1-1 draw at Braintree Town last August.He has so far taken charge of two fixtures this term, his
most recent was Barrow's 1-0 win over Yeovil Town at Holker Street last
weekend.Live Commentary
We'll once again be providing full live and totally FREE online commentary of Saturday's game here on the Official Website.
Mark Simpson will be on-air at Victory Park from 2.50pm when
he'll bring you all the build-up to kick-off and then describe all the action
as it unfolds against Chorley.Click here now to access the live online commentary.
Buying Tickets
Tickets for Saturday's game are available to Pools fans on the turnstiles prior to kick-off at Victory Park, whilst you can also buy in advance on line if you so wish.
Click here for all the information you need on tickets for Saturday's game.
Betting Odds
Chorley 7/5
Pools 9/4
Draw 13/8