Nathan Sheron believes Hartlepool United must build on last weekend’s victory over Woking when they travel to Kidderminster Harriers on Friday night.

Pools returned to winning ways at Victoria Park as Chris Popov’s second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory and brought an end to a run of three successive defeats.

The afternoon also marked a personal milestone for Sheron, who made his 100th appearance for the Club.

Having reached a century of appearances in a Pools shirt, the midfielder remains as determined as ever to help the Club move forward.

“I have loved being here,” said Sheron. “From my first day until now, I have still got that same love for the Club.

“We have all got that hunger to do well for Hartlepool. It is about kicking on now because we want to achieve something and believe we are good enough to do that. 

“The feeling within the group is really positive after the weekend. We have put the previous few weeks behind us, and now it is on us to build on the win.

“We want to go back-to-back, so we are looking forward to Kidderminster and seeing if we can earn another victory on the road.”

Pools began the Enterprise National League campaign with successive victories and clean sheets against Barrow and Aldershot Town before suffering defeats against Sutton United, Eastleigh and FC Halifax Town.

Sheron accepts the performances at Sutton and Halifax fell below the standards the players expect from themselves, but believes it is important that the squad maintains a balanced perspective on results.

He says the players have reviewed the areas which proved costly and must now demonstrate that they have learned from those setbacks.

“We can get too high and too low depending on results, and we shouldn’t,” he explained.

“When we look back at the three defeats, I still believe we should have won the Eastleigh game because of what happened and the way we performed with ten men.

“We know the performances against Sutton and Halifax weren’t good enough. We have gone through those games and understand where we should have done better.

“It is on us to improve now. The Woking result was important, but we have to make sure we build on it.”

Sheron has become an experienced figure within a new-look Pools squad and is one of several players helping to maintain standards within the dressing room.

Although he does not consider himself one of the loudest voices in the group, the midfielder believes leadership can be demonstrated through attitude and example as much as words.

“People lead in different ways,” he continued. “I wouldn’t say I am a big shouter or screamer.

“I try to remain positive around the lads, keep going and work hard every day. That is how I feel I can contribute to the group.

“My way is to stay positive and try to show the right standards through the way I work.”

That collective approach has helped Hartlepool establish one of the strongest defensive records in the National League during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Pools have conceded only four goals across their first six fixtures and recorded clean sheets in each of their three victories.

Sheron believes that record reflects the work being undertaken throughout the team rather than the contribution of the defenders and goalkeepers alone.

“The lads at the back and the goalkeepers have done brilliantly, but defending is about the entire team,” he said.

“It is the players getting back to defend corners and throw-ins, pressing from the front, and everybody understanding their responsibilities.

“It is a collective effort. We pride ourselves on working hard, getting around teams and making things difficult for them. That is when we are at our best.

“If we can keep the back door shut, we believe the goals will start to come at the other end.”

Pools have scored five times in their opening six league matches, with four different players finding the net.

Sheron accepts they must now add a greater attacking return to their defensive resilience, with responsibility shared across every area of the side.

“It is on all of us to start scoring more goals,” he added. “That responsibility doesn’t only belong to the attackers.

“We need goals from different areas of the team, and we know we can also be better from set plays.

“We have some big players in the side, so we should be more of a threat from those situations. It is up to all of us to contribute.”

Kidderminster have made an encouraging start following their promotion to the National League.

After suffering an opening-day defeat at Hornchurch, Paul Wotton’s side responded with a victory over Eastleigh before drawing against Aldershot Town.

A 3-1 win at Southend United was followed by a 1-1 draw with Barrow before Kidderminster extended their unbeaten run to five matches with an impressive 4-1 victory at Wealdstone last weekend.

Harriers played for more than an hour with ten men at Grosvenor Vale but scored three times during the second half to secure a third victory of the campaign.

Sheron expects Pools to face a confident and determined opponent at Aggborough but believes the fixture provides another opportunity to demonstrate the team’s progress.

“They have started really well, and I know they will be bang at it,” he said.

“It will be a tough place to go on Friday night, but it is another chance for us to go again. We relish the opportunity.”