After last Saturday’s defeat to Walsall, Hartlepool United are looking to bounce back as they visit local rivals Harrogate Town at the weekend. After a thrilling encounter when these teams met at the Suit Direct Stadium, both sets of fans will be hoping for a similar level of excitement at The EnviroVent Stadium.
The Opposition
Harrogate are currently 14th in League Two, just a place and a point behind Pools. They’ve won just one of their last five, defeating Bradford City before draws with Barrow and Port Vale. Before that, two goal-fests saw the Sulphurites draw 3-3 with Rochdale and lose 4-3 to Exeter City.
Led by the longest-serving manager in the Football League, Simon Weaver, the Harrogate side features former Poolie Luke Armstrong and north east-born Jack Diamond, currently on loan from Sunderland. Armstrong’s goals helped Pools to be promoted last season while on loan, and since joining Harrogate, he’s bagged 11 goals already.
The History
This will be just the seventh first-class meeting between the sides, with Pools’ victory earlier this season their only victory in the fixture. Harrogate have won four of the previous fixtures and one has ended in a draw.
This will be just the seventh first-class meeting between the sides, with Pools’ victory earlier this season their only victory in the fixture. Harrogate have won four of the previous fixtures and one has ended in a draw.
Earlier this season, Pools trailed at the break after a George Thomson strike and a Neill Byrne own-goal. Then-manager Dave Challinor switched his side around at the break, bringing on Gary Liddle for Mark Shelton and a second-half flurry saw goals from David Ferguson, Mark Cullen, and Matty Daly secure the victory for Pools.
Team News
Neill Byrne serves the second of his two-match ban after accumulating 10 yellow cards this season, with Gary Liddle and Jake Hull the two choices to replace him. Liddle played against Walsall on Saturday, but Hull could be handed his first Pools start against the Sulphurites. Jamie Sterry returned to the side and Gavan Holohan made his long-awaited Pools return, and both will hope to be involved on Saturday, too.
Neill Byrne serves the second of his two-match ban after accumulating 10 yellow cards this season, with Gary Liddle and Jake Hull the two choices to replace him. Liddle played against Walsall on Saturday, but Hull could be handed his first Pools start against the Sulphurites. Jamie Sterry returned to the side and Gavan Holohan made his long-awaited Pools return, and both will hope to be involved on Saturday, too.
How to Follow
If you’re not travelling to Harrogate, you can follow all the action via iFollow. Live stream the game by purchasing a video pass:
If you’re not travelling to Harrogate, you can follow all the action via iFollow. Live stream the game by purchasing a video pass: