William Bewsey
10:28am, Fri 24th Jan 2025
Hartlepool United vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 25th January 2025
15:00 Kick-Off
Woking begin a run of four consecutive away fixtures with the long trip up to the North East to face a resurgent Hartlepool United.
With just one defeat since mid November, Pools have been slowly climbing their way up the league table, finding themselves just four points outside the playoff places in 13th.
Neal Ardley will be hoping that the Cards can get their first away league win under his leadership and since August. With a week’s break since their last fixture for the first time since he took over, Ardley will hope to have a strong squad to take up to the seaside.
Opposition Watch
Former Woking boss Darren Sarll departed Pools in mid October following defeat at Brackley Town in the FA Cup. 77-year-old manager Lennie Lawrence took caretaker charge, before he was then appointed permanent manager in November alongside head coach Anthony Limbrick.
What had been a lacklustre season up until then has threatened to spark into life since, with Mani Dieseruvwe again top scorer with ten goals, striking a partnership with in form veteran goalscorer Gary Madine, who has bagged four times in as many games. Defeat at Gateshead on Boxing Day has been followed up by an impressive home win over Oldham on New Years' Day and a point at Wealdstone last time out.
Frustration for Hartlepool continues to be the number of draws, with ten so far this season including six since Lawrence took charge hindering a chance at being involved in that promotion race. All things considered, however, things are looking much brighter on the North East coast than they were in mid October.
Around the Ground
Ticket information is available
here.
There are just NINE seats remaining on the Cards Trust supporters coach to Hartlepool, please email adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk if you wish to go.
Last Time Out
A Bank Holiday thriller saw Woking come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 thanks to goals from Matt Ward, Tunji Akinola and a stoppage time winner from Harry Beautyman.
Last season, Woking were 2-0 winners at Victoria Park thanks to a second half Ricky Korboa double, before Lewis Walker rescued a point in front of the cameras at the Laithwaite in a 1-1 draw.
The sides have met nine times, with four Woking wins, three draws and two Hartlepool wins.