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Hartlepool United: We’ve Met Before

Posted by FC Halifax Town
Posted on Mon 19 Feb 2018
Posted in First Team

Following Saturdayโ€™s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet United, the Shaymen have a quick turnaround for the visit of Hartlepool United on Tuesday night.

Matty Kosyloโ€™s first half penalty was cancelled out by goals from Corey Whitely and Luke Coulson, as Town now stretch their winless run in the Vanarama National League to eight games.

However, the midweek fixture provides the chance to put things right against a Hartlepool side that has not visited the MBi Shay Stadium for sixteen years.

The last time these two sides met was earlier in the season, coincidently in another midweek fixture, although the Shaymen will not want to see a repeat of that game anytime soon.

The night at Victoria Park got off to the worst possible start for Town, who found themselves a goal behind inside the five-minute mark. Nicky Deverdics slotted home for the Pools just three minutes before they managed to double their lead.

It was only the seventh minute, but Rhys Oates managed to draw a foul to win his side the penalty, which was converted well by Liam Donnelly as the home side showed their dominance.

After winning the penalty earlier in the game, Oates managed to get himself on the score sheet around the half hour mark after latching on to Michael Woodsโ€™ pass. By half-time, the Shaymen were well beaten with another 45 minutes yet to play.

The second half, though, proved to be a lot quieter. It took the home side until the final minute to grab a fourth as Conor Newton scored his first goal for the newly relegated outfit.

That wrapped up what was a difficult night for Billy Heathโ€™s men, as Townโ€™s winless run in the National League was extended to nine games.

That fixture back in November was the first time the two sides had met since April 2002, as Hartlepool have spent most of their life in the Football Leagueโ€™s bottom two divisions before their relegation at the end of last season.

The 2001/02 Division Three campaign saw the Shaymen struggle and were eventually relegated from the football league after finishing nine points behind Bristol Rovers in 23rd. Towards the end of the season, the Pools and Town faced off at the Shay, although this was another poor game for the home side.

Hartlepool found themselves a goal to the good inside the opening ten minutes thanks to Gordon Watsonโ€™s second goal against the Shaymen that campaign. Graeme Lee then made it two midway through the second half to put the game out of reach for Town.

This meant that the Pools had won both of their fixtures against Town that season following a 3-0 victory in November 2001.

Watson struck deep into the first half to make sure the Pools went into half time in the ascendency. Two goals in five second-half minutes then succumbed Town to their fate, Mark Tinkler and Tommy Widdrington this time getting on the score sheet to make it three wins in their last five meetings with the Shaymen.

In fact, the Shaymen have not beaten Hartlepool in a league fixture in the new millennium. The last win for Town came at the start of the 1999/2000 season, where the Shaymen ran out 2-0 victors.

If you cannot make it to the game against Hartlepool at the Shay, then there will be live match updates along with live commentary available on the club website.

 

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