Hartlepool United v Ebbsfleet United
National League
Saturday 7th March 2020, 3pm
Victoria Park
In Opposition
After coming close to snatching a National League play-off place last season, it's fair to say that the 2019/20 campaign has been a bit of a disappointment for Ebbsfleet United fans.
The Fleet endured an awful start when they lost each of
their first five games as they struggled to recapture the consistency which saw
them finish 8th last time around.A poor opening couple of months led to boss Garry Hill
parting ways with the club and his assistant, Kevin Watson stepped up to take
the job temporarily before an upturn in form saw him appointed permanently in
November.They arrive at The Vic this weekend sitting third bottom in
the table and still five points from safety and, while wins are arriving more
frequently than they were during the first half of the season, they still need
a few more if they're to extend their stay in the fifth tier in to a fourth
year.One To Watch
Gozie Ugwu is the man Ebbsfleet fans are turning to in a bid to find the goals that can help fire them clear of the danger zone during the closing months of the campaign.
The 26-year-old front man turned his loan move from Boreham
Wood permanent during the summer and has hit double figures for The Fleet this
term.He ended a run of games without a goal when he blasted a
brace in their crucial win at Maidenhead United last month and he's one player
Pools will need to keep quiet at The Vic this weekend.Head To Head
This weekend's game will be the sixth competitive meeting between the two clubs and Pools are still waiting for their first win over Ebbsfleet United.
Indeed, The Fleet have tasted victory in three of the last
five encounters and protected their unbeaten record against Pools by coming
from two goals down to draw when the sides met in November.Last Meeting
Ebbsfleet United 2 Pools 2
Saturday 16th November 2019
Ebbsfleet United: Palmer, King, Wilson (Obileye 50), Grimes, Ekpiteta, Weston, Payne, Morgan, Ugwu (Reid 78), Umerah (s/o 45), Sutherland (Adeloye 46).
Subs not used: Cordner, Lawless.
Pools: Killip, Kioso, Raynes, Kerr, Kitching, Featherstone, Mafuta, Donaldson, Holohan (Kennedy 76), James, Kabamba (Toure 76).
Subs not used: Cunningham, Hawkes, Muir.
On The Whistle
Aaron Jackson will be the man in the middle at Victoria Park this weekend as he makes his second visit of the season to Hartlepool after seeing us lose to Solihull Moors in November.
The official was promoted to the National League's list of
referees at the start of the season and has so far taken charge of 11 games at
this level.His most recent appointment came back in January when he
watched Stockport County play out a goalless draw with Sutton United at Edgeley
Park.Live Commentary
You can listen to full live online commentary of Saturday's game against Ebbsfleet United here on the Official Website for FREE.
Pools legend Brian Honour will be alongside Mark Simpson to
deliver coverage on the game at Victoria Park from 2.50pm so make sure you join
us here if you can't get along in-person.Click here now to access the live online commentary.
Buying Tickets
Tickets for Saturday's game are available in advance online or from the Club's Ticket Office, while there will also be availability on the day of the game.
Click here for all the information you need on buying tickets for Saturday.
Betting Odds
Pools 5/12
Ebbsfleet 29/5
Draw 33/10
Click here for a full list of markets and odds ahead of Saturday's game.