Hartlepool U18s started their EFL season with a 0-0 home draw to Scunthorpe United at the weekend, in an historic day for the club with the reintroduction of its full time EFL Academy. On a proud day for all our players and parents, our 1st year scholars, no older than 16 years of age represented the club with pride.
Academy Manager Andy Lowe added: ‘This was our first competitive game since reforming our academy 6 weeks ago –. We had a very young squad playing today, on a blazing hot day, both sides cancelled each other out in the first half, with very few chances created from either side. The attitude and endeavour from our young side was evident to see throughout the first half, up against a more experienced Scunthorpe side. Although we didn’t get on the ball as much as we would like to see’.
‘In the second half, we were more controlled in possession and some good phases of play in spells enabled us to create a number of chances, without really making the opposition goalkeeper have to work. First and foremost, we are looking at how the boys perform in and out of possession and for their first competitive game the players showed glimpses of quality and some early indications of a positive season ahead for such a young group of players under the stewardship of experienced coaches Ian McGuckin and Tony Sweeney.’
Pools: Wilkinson; Stephenson; Darcy; Rowe; Lynn; Robinson; Kitching; Storey; White; Ferguson; McBride
Subs: Burrows; Small; Carr