Following their comfortable 3-1 victory over Chesterfield, Hartlepool United travel to in-form Bromley looking to keep pace at the top of the National League. Dave Challinor's men are third in the table behind Torquay and Sutton, and are in good shape as we get to the business end of the season.
The Opposition
Bromley are one of the teams making a late surge for the play-off places and sit fifth in the National League form table, just two places below Pools. They've won four of their last five in the league, beating Chesterfield away. Halifax, Woking, and Dagenham & Redbridge, but losing to Chesterfield in the home fixture. The Ravens are currently ninth in the table, just a point behind Chesterfield in the final play-off spot.
Led by former Arsenal and Newcastle United goalkeeper coach Andy Woodman, The Ravens' squad includes veteran goalkeeper Mark Cousins and virtual ever-present this season Michael Cheek.
The History
This will be the seventh meeting between the sides and Bromley have the advantage in previous head-to-heads. They've beaten Pools on four occasions, while the only Hartlepool victory was in March 2018 when goals from Josh Hawkes and Michael Woods were enough to claim the points.
Team News
Apart from long-term absentees Ben Killip and Joe Grey, the only player likely to be missing is Ryan Johnson. The goalscoring centre-back is training again, but this fixture may come too soon. Lewis Cass was brought off as a precaution on Saturday, but he left Victoria Park without assistance, so he's likely to be available again. New signings Zaine Francis-Angol, Harvey Saunders, and Danny Elliott were all on the bench on Saturday, and they'll all be hoping for a chance to impress at Hayes Lane.
Watch, Listen, and Follow
The match is being streamed on the Bromley website.
https://page.inplayer.com/bromleyfc/
Due to Bromley's COVID guidelines, we will not be able to provide Mixlr commentary on this occasion.
Please remember that Hartlepool United are joining in solidarity with the FA, Premier League, EFL, FA Women's Super League, FA Women's Championship, PFA, LMA, PGMOL, Kick It Out, the FSA and the National League for a social media blackout this weekend. This is in response to sustained discriminatory abuse received online by players and many others connected to football.
To ensure that fans don't miss out on following Pools in this crucial game, we'll be providing a live reporting service on our official website. To read more about the boycott and why it's taking place, read here: https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/english-football-announces-social-media-boycott/