Aiming to extend the lead at the summit to 13 points if results go our way, Hartlepool United are the Wood’s latest examination as Luke Garrard’s side look to end a faultless October on a high.
After a run of just one victory in seven outings to start the season, Lee Clark was the division’s first managerial casualty. Ex-Barrow boss Pete Wild has since taken over and oversaw his first three points against Forest Green Rovers before also beating Hornchurch.
However, their barren run on their travels of just one victory continued last time out against AFC Fylde, as the Coasters staged a late fightback to run out 3-1 victors.
A former MK Dons academy graduate with a wealth of experience aged just 22, Brooklyn Ilunga has been a bright spark in the Pools’ season so far.
He honed his craft away from Stadium MK as a youngster with loan stints at Royston Town, Hemel Hempstead Town and Wealdstone. Ilunga was also named the Academy Player of the Year for the 2021/22 season after flourishing down the left flank.
Having had spells in the MK Dons first-team which culminated in a total of 23 appearances, the pacey wideman ended his 14-year association with them to link up with Bromley at the start of 2025.
Part of the side which secured promotion to Sky Bet League One for the first time in their history, Ilunga signed for Hartlepool in the summer and has featured in all of their league games so far.
Boasting plenty of experience in the National League following a brief stint in the Football League, Pete Wild is tasked with guiding Hartlepool up the table.
After caretaker spells at Oldham Athletic during the 2018/19 campaign, he was in the dugout on a permanent basis to replace Paul Scholes in March 2019. During his time at Boundary Park, Wild oversaw a huge Emirates FA Cup scalp to knock Fulham out at the third round stage.
He then joined FC Halifax Town and success quickly followed, finishing in the play-offs in his first season in charge but were defeated by the Wood in the eliminator. They recorded their highest-ever league finish of fourth place two seasons later, but once again fell at the same hurdle.
Wild was back in the EFL spotlight as he joined Barrow ahead of the 2022/23 season and was key to a ninth-placed finish, having narrowly avoided the drop the season prior. They came within touching distance of the play-offs in the following season, but missed out by one point to eventual winners Crawley Town.
Spells at Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers followed, guiding the latter to safety on the final day of the League Two season last term, before touching down at Victoria Park earlier this month.
After a goalless draw at the end of last August in Durham, the Pools made the trip down to Hertfordshire in our penultimate league clash on home soil.
An uneventful opening period was soon forgotten as Matt Rush netted a second-half hat-trick, taking his league tally to 26 goals, which was the perfect response to a 4-1 defeat at Solihull Moors earlier in the week.
The game kicks off at 15:00 and will operate under full segregation.
Adult – £20.00
OAP – £18.00
Under 20 – £14.00
Under 16 – £10.00
Under 14* – £6.00
Under 5* – £2.00
Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
*Must be accompanied by a paying adult or OAP.
Written by Jack Patmore.
