Lovetts
3:00pm - SaturdaySat 16th SeptemberSep 2023
Victoria Park | Att: 4214

Hartlepool
Hartlepool United
0 - 2

Woking
Woking

Match Preview and Guide | Hartlepool United (A)

William Bewsey
11:07am, Wed 13th Sep 2023
Hartlepool United v Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 16th September 2023
15:00 Kick-Off


Woking travel up to the North East for the second time in three weeks when they face Hartlepool United at Victoria Park.

Darren Sarll's side are currently unbeaten in four, albeit with their last two matches ending in draws, but there were more positive signs on the injury front, with Jermaine Anderson completing the second half, as well as Manny Oyeleke getting 60 minutes under his belt, as Sarll also indicated that Reece Grego-Cox could be in line to make the squad for the trip up to County Durham.

Opposition Watch
Relegation last season saw Pools back in the division they did so well to get out of in 2020/21, when a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Torquay United secured their return to the EFL after a four year absence. Despite this, manager John Askey sought to do what he does best in getting teams promoted out of the National League, and it all looked to be going rather well with four straight wins in August sandwiched between away defeats to Barnet and Chesterfield.

However, the news that impressive 22-year-old pair Dan Dodds and Anthony Mancini are out long term has somewhat put a downer on an excellent start back to life in the National League, with Frenchman Mancini in particular showing plenty of promise in the early fixtures, in particular at Southend United. Despite these setbacks, Askey has put together a strong outfit, with one of his biggest coups, Emmanuel Diesweuvwe winning August Player of the Month for the division with six goals in six games after signing from FC Halifax Town in the summer.

Pools currently sit in fourth place having won five and lost three of their eight fixtures so far, scoring 19 goals but also conceding 17; only Aldershot and Fylde have conceded more goals, but only Gateshead and Chesterfield have scored more. Last time out, newcomers Oxford City shocked Askey's side by beating them 5-2 after falling behind twice, so Pools will be looking to react in front of their home fans on Saturday.

Last Time Out
Woking were defeated 1-0 by a singular Rhys Oates goal in March 2021, as Pools would ultimately go on to be promoted in the playoffs. Since the first meeting between these sides in September 2017, there have been two wins apiece, all for the home side, with two 1-1 draws.

Woking last got a result at Victoria Park in September 2019 in front of the BT cameras, as a Liam Noble penalty was cancelled out by a memorable Paul Hodges equaliser, whilst the Cards' last win over Pools was in December 2020, as a superb all round performance saw a 3-0 Woking win in front of a limited number of fans due to COVID, goals from Matt Jarvis, Jack Cook and Slavi Spasov.

Around the Ground
Victoria Park, currently known as the Suit Direct Stadium is located just a five minute walk from Hartlepool train station, which is served by some Grand Central services from and to London Kings Cross. As for pubs and restaurants, recommendations include the Rat Race micropub on the railway station platform, as well as the Anchor Tap further into town.

There is also a Wetherspoons near the station, as well as several takeaways, including a few fish and chip shops, whilst at the ground, there are two bars, the Centenary and Corner Flag Supporters Bar, which welcome away fans, whilst usual stadium fare is available in the away end.

Ticket details are available here.

Match Report | Korboa inspired Cards put on perfect away performance

William Bewsey
4:57pm, Sat 16th Sep 2023
Hartlepool United 0-2 Woking
Vanarama National League
16th September 2023

On a blustery and cold autumn day, Darren Sarll took his side up to the north east to face Hartlepool United. New signings Alexis Andre Jr and Timi Odusina took places on the bench, as Woking made one change from the side that drew to Solihull Moors; Jermaine Anderson made his first start of the season in place of Manny Oyeleke.

Woking kicked off towards the Brunel Group Stand, and nearly took the lead on 16 minutes after a dominant opening period, when a long free kick was almost nodded into the bottom corner by a completely unmarked Padraig Amond.

Around the half hour mark, the home side began to show what they were capable of, with a few crossing opportunities for Oliver Finney and David Ferguson down the right-hand side trying to bring Pools’ top scorer Mani Dieseruvwe into the game. Just minutes later, the striker raced in on goal, before hitting the post, but from the rebound, Joe Grey somehow fired over the bar with a practically open goal, to the disbelief of everyone in the Seat Direct Stadium.

With Hartlepool tails up, another dangerous cross was well diverted wide by Scott Cuthbert on 37 minutes, before another dangerous cross from Ferguson’s free kick saw the ball evade everyone and bounce off the outside of the post.

Half time came at a welcome time for the Cards, after surviving somewhat of a bombardment in the last 15 minutes.

Half-time: Hartlepool United 0-0 Woking

Just two minutes into the second half, Woking took the lead. Good play from Jim Kellermann and Amond saw the ball land at Ricky Korboa’s feet, and he somewhat delayed his finish, but a wicked deflection gave Pete Jameson no chance.

And just three minutes later, great work from Amond found Korboa again. This time the finish was beautifully controlled into the corner from his left foot, wrong footing Jameson and sending the 120 travelling Cards barmy.

Pools aimed to respond, throwing on Josh Umerah to replace Grey, and Jaaskelainen was tested on 64 minutes by Charlie Seaman, but ended up holding onto the ball.

On 75 minutes, Dieseruvwe looked to be through on goal, but expert defending from Luke Wilkinson saw him intercept at the perfect time. Then somehow, Dieseruvwe flicked the ball over the bar from inside the six-yard box after a great knock down from Tom Crawford, as it looked to not be his or Pools' day.

Six minutes of injury time passed by uneventfully, and Woking had the three points. A perfect away performance from Sarll's men, with Korboa ultimately the difference, but an excellent display all round extends Woking's unbeaten run to five ahead of Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Luke Wilkinson, Padraig Amond, Jermaine Anderson (Willmott 68’), Ricky Korboa (Taylor 80’), Tunji Akinola, Jim Kellermann (Robinson 89’), Zak Bradshaw.

Unused subs: Andre, Odusina

Goals: Korboa 47’, 50’

Bookings: Moss 66’

Hartlepool: Pete Jameson, Luke Hendrie, Manny Onaraise, Alex Lacey (Patterson 20’), David Ferguson, Charlie Seaman, Kieran Wallace, Tom Crawford, Oliver Finney (Aghatise 89’), Joe Grey (Umerah 57’), Mani Dieseruvwe

Unused subs: Dixon, Wreh

Bookings: Crawford 10’

Referee: Michael Barlow

Man of the Match: Ricky Korboa put in a superb display, taking his chances when they came and linking up brilliantly with Amond twice.
Hartlepool United LINEUP
13Pete Jameson
21Charlie Seaman
3David Ferguson
27Luke Hendrie
23Manny Onariase
5Alex Lacey ('20)
6Kieran Wallace
22Tom Crawford
14Oliver Finney ('85)
12Joe Grey ('56)
20Emmanuel Dieseruvwe
BENCH
1Joel Dixon
24Brody Paterson ('20)
Osazee Aghatise ('85)
9Josh Umerah ('56)
11Chris Wreh
WOKING LINEUP
22Will Jaaskelainen
2Dan Moss
3Josh Casey
6Luke Wilkinson
4Scott Cuthbert
16Tunji Akinola
17Jim Kellermann ('89)
20Zak Bradshaw
23Jermaine Anderson ('68)
7Ricky Korboa ('80)
10Padraig Amond
BENCH
1Alexis Andre Jr.
5Greg Taylor ('80)
21Timi Odusina
12Matt Robinson ('89)
8Robbie Willmott ('68)

Hartlepool United 0-2 Woking | Darren Sarll Interview

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