Hartlepool United Academy came out on top in a 4-2 win over Accrington Stanley on Saturday morning at Blackhall.

Ian McGuckin’s side were two goals up at the break with efforts from Noah Gilbraith and Eddie Ormerod.

Ormerod made it three from the spot, before Accrington pegged a goal back. Bernardo Araujo restored the three-goal advantage though and, despite a late consolation, the game finished 4-2 to Pools.

Youth team coach Graeme Clark provided an honest assessment at the full time whistle.

“Of course, we’re pleased with the result,” he explained.

“We were looking to build on Tuesday’s performance and win against Harrogate, but Accrington arrived in fantastic form so we know it’d be a stern test.

“We got off to a great start going 2-0 up with a header from Noah from a corner, followed quickly through a penalty earned and scored by Eddie.

“Through our pressure and pressing, we created some good opportunities to take the game away from Accrington, but our conversion rate was below our usual standards.

“We started brightly in the second half and scored another penalty through Eddie.

“Accrington stopped our clean sheet, scoring from a set play, as we failed to clear and they finished clinically.

“We scored our final goal in the 83rd minute through a goalkeeping error, with Bernardo tapping in at the far post.

“Accrington scored the final goal with a screamer just before full time.

“All in all, it was another good result from a scratchy performance. The group are now five unbeaten and in good spirits going into next week.”

Pools Academy are next at home on Saturday 23 November, welcoming Walsall to Blackhall with a 1:30pm kick-off.