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Preview: Hartlepool v Grimsby

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 24/12/2006

GRIMSBY make the trip up the East Coast to Hartlepool, who have become something of a bogey side for the Mariners. Grimsby's previous trip to Victoria Park three years ago ended in one of the heaviest defeats in Town's history after the Mariners were thumped 8-1.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Hartlepool (a)


The Opposition

Overview
Hartlepool were surprisingly relegated last season, having lost to Sheff Wed in the League One play-off final the previous year, and were expected to feature in the promotion race. With Pools retaining a strong squad at the start of the season, many people fancied United to get automatic promotion. However, after a slow start to life in League Two Danny Wilson's side have only recently starting showing the form which their squad on paper promised. Hartlepool have won their last four games without conceding a goal.

The Team
Hartlepool have one of the largest squads in League Two with 32 players having been assigned squad numbers already. Greek 'keeper Demitrios Konstantopoulos (left) was voted Player of the Year last season, and in front of him are several experienced professionals. Right back Micky Barron has amassed over 300 games with Pools. Veteran midfielder Mark Tinkler has chalked up over 200 appearances for Hartlepool and gets his fair share of goals from the centre of the park, but injury has limited his chances this season. Former Owl Richie Humphreys, one of the most talented players in the division, has also played over 200 games for Hartlepool. Highly-rated right winger Ali Gibb joined Hartlepool from Bristol Rovers in the summer. Up front former Town loan striker Jon Daly is the club's leading scorer this season but is currently being kept out of the side by Hull City forward Darryl Duffy.

Key Player
Darryl Duffy was a much sought striker when Hull City managed to sign him from Falkirk in January. However Peter Taylor never managed to get the best out of the Scot, and since Taylor's departure Duffy has gradually fallen down the pecking order at the KC. Danny Wilson managed to secure Duffy on loan from Hull, since when he has scored four goals in seven games for United. Duffy doubtless would love to score against Hull's biggest rival.

Recent Form

TownHartlepool
WTorquay(h)2-0
LLincoln(a)0-2
WShrewsbury(h)2-1
WBarnet(a)1-0
WAccrington(h)2-0
Currently 16th in League Two.
WBury(a)1-0
WRochdale(h)1-0
WBristol R(a)2-0
WNotts Co(a)1-0
LMacclesfield(a)1-2
Currently 6th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownHartlepool
Peter Bore5
Gary Jones5
Daly8
Porter5

Team News

TownHartlepool

  • Justin Whittle should return after missing the Torquay victory with a thigh problem.

  • Gary Jones serves the second of a four-match ban after his sending off at Lincoln.

  • John McDermott and Paul Bolland are both still doubtful with calf and foot injuries respectively.
  • Hartlepool will be without strikers Michael Proctor and Joel Porter who are both still sidelined with knee trouble, and midfielder Mark Tinkler who has a broken toe.
  • Probable Teams

    TownHartlepool
    1Phil Barnes
    20Gary Croft
    5Nick Fenton
    6Justin Whittle
    3Tom Newey
    17Peter Till
    12Ricky Ravenhill
    11Anthony Pulis
    23Nick Hegarty
    12Isaiah Rankin
    14Martin Paterson
    1Demitrios Konstantopoulos
    2Micky Barron
    5Michael Nelson
    6Ben Clark
    8Ritchie Humphreys
    15Antony Sweeney
    17Willie Boland
    18Gary Lidle
    TBAAndy Monkhouse
    34Darryl Duffy
    11Eifion Williams

    Subs

    TownHartlepool
    13Robert Murray
    4Gary Harkins
    16Danny Boshell
    22Danny North
    9Michael Reddy
    3Matthew Robson
    21Jim Provett
    16Lee Bullock
    23Darren Williams
    25Jon Daly

    Head to Head

    Hartlepool have become something of a bogey side for the Mariners and Town have won only once in the last 10 league meetings.

    P 44 W 21 D 7 L 16 F 64 A 53

    Hartlepool Head-to-Head (23rd on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Who could forget! The last time The Mariners visited the Victoria Ground was one of their lowest points in history and the first of a number of heavy defeats that Town would record that season.

    12-Sep-2003
    Hartlepool8 - 1Grimsby
    Groves 19(og)
    Robinson 20(p), 56, 80
    Strachan 28
    Humphreys 31
    Gabbiadini 60
    Eifion Williams 66
    Rowan 48; 

    Hartlepool Team: Provett, Barron, Westwood, Nelson, Robson, Strachan (Clarke, 70), Tinkler, Humphreys, Eifion Williams, Gabbiadini (McCann, 72), Robinson (Easter, 81)
    Subs (not used): Williams, Istead

    Grimsby Team: Davison, Crowe, Ford, Crane, Barnard, Cas, Groves, Campbell, Hockless, Rowan (Nimmo, 61), Boulding (Soames, 76)
    Subs: (not used) Bolder, McDermott, Edwards

    Attendance: 5,528   Report

    Prediction

    Hartlepool 1-1 Town

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Victoria Park (left).

    Pubs and Grub

    Click on the link for hostelries close to Victoria Park.

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