Pools marked their return to Victoria Park with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland U21s in pre-season action. The fixture marked Darren Sarll’s first game in the home dugout for Hartlepool.

Sarll handed Luke Charman a first pre-season appearance, having returned from a back injury, though Anthony Mancini and Joe Grey dropped out due to knocks.

Sunderland U21s meanwhile, managed by former Scotland international Graeme Murty, included several first teamers in Jay Matete and Luís Semedo. Jewison Bennette, a senior international with Costa Rica, also featured.

Pools went ahead on 18 minutes when a trialist on the right wing set Adam Campbell in a crossing position, and his ball fell onto the head of Mani Dieseruvwe for a neat finish into the bottom corner.

Seconds later, it was two. Tom Parkes’ high press allowed the centre-back to win possession and pull the trigger from 20 yards, curling an unstoppable strike into the top left corner.

Two trialists and Adam Campbell came narrowly close to adding a third after half-time, though that eventually came in the final stages.

As the heavens opened on Victoria Park, a trialist combined with Joe Aungiers before sliding a low shot past Adam Richardson in the Sunderland goal to make it 3-0.

Pools now turn their attention to Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night at Victoria Park in their penultimate friendly.