MATCH PREVIEW – HARTLEPOOL UNITED (A) | Boreham Wood Football Club

Hartlepool United v Boreham Wood
Saturday 5^th December 2020, 3.00pm
Victoria Park, Vanarama National League

THE CONTEXT

On Saturday, Wood make the trip up North where we match up against Hartlepool United in the Vanarama National League at Victoria Park.

The Pools last fixture was a disappointing 2-0 away defeat against Solihull Moors, thanks to goals from defensive duo Krystian Pearce and James Ball.

However, history was made for Boreham Wood as we saw ourselves reach the 3^rd Round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history when we comfortably beat Canvey Island 3-0 at Park Lane.

Although fans are now able to attend elite sport fixtures this only applies to home fans and there for this fixture will only be allowing in their home supporters. However, there are several ways for fans to stay-up to date on proceedings including the Wood’s twitter and Instagram.

THE FORM GUIDE

THE WOOD

Previous six games (in all competitions): –

Wood reached the Emirates FA Cup 3^rd Round for the first time in the club’s history on Monday evening when we beat Isthmian North side Canvey Island 3-0.

Kabongo Tshimanga broke the deadlock after 8 minutes when he beat his man and struck with his left-foot from the edge of the penalty area past Canvey keeper, Bobby Mason.

The pressure from Wood was relentless throughout the entirety of the game and the deficit was doubled in the 28^th minute when Kane Smith’s effort took a deflection onto the post into the back of the net.

BW PASE Academy Graduate Sorba Thomas played in the number 10 role and gave the Canvey back line a torrid time all evening forcing several good saves from Mason.

Man of the Match winner Matt Rhead was then on target in the 83^rd minute making the score line 3-0. Rhead’s Emirates FA Cup experience ,in reaching the quarter finals of the competition with Lincoln City in 2017/18, could be vital in the next round against Championship side, Millwall.

THE POOLS

Previous six games (in all competitions): –

Solihull Moors (A) | VNL | 2-0 L
Barnet (A) | VNL | 0-0 D
Yeovil Town (A) | VNL | 1-3 W
Wrexham (H) | VNL | 0-1 L
Salford (A) | FAC1R | 2-0 L
Torquay (H) | VNL | 0-5 L

Despite sitting a respectable 12^th place in the National League, the Pools have won just once out of their previous seven games in all competitions.

Prior to their recent dip in form, the Pools went unbeaten in their opening five National League games with the run ending when Torquay came to Victoria Park and emphatically won 5-0.

Excluding their 3-1 away win against winless bottom of the table Yeovil Town, the Pools have failed to register a goal in their last five games in all competitions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“THE DESTROYER”

GARY LIDDLE

Gary Liddle began his footballing career with Middlesbrough but before making a senior appearance, he signed for Hartlepool in 2006.

The central defender then went on to make over 250 appearances for the club and helped the Pools gain promotion to League 1 in his debut season.

Liddle then moved on to Notts County in 2012 where he spent an enjoyable two seasons making 78 appearances.

The 34-year-old then went on to play for the likes of Bradford City, Chesterfield, Carlisle, and Walsall before returning to Victoria Park on loan for the 2019/20 campaign.

The deal was made permanent at the start of this season and he brings bags of experience to the Pools dressing room.

“THE PLAYMAKER”

NICKY FEATHERSTONE

Featherstone came through the youth ranks of Hull City and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2006.

The Central midfielder then went on loan to League 2 side Hereford United in search for first team football and the deal was made permanent halfway through the 2011/12 campaign.

After making 58 appearances with Hereford, Featherstone moved on to Walsall where he spent two years making 55 appearances for the League 1 club.

Since then, Featherstone has played for Scunthorpe United and Harrogate Town, but his game time was limited which saw a move to Hartlepool in 2014.

Featherstone has reached legendry status at Victoria Park when he became the clubs current longest serving player in 2019 when he surpassed 200 appearances.

“THE FINISHER”

MASON BLOOMFIELD

Mason Bloomfield was raised in Edgware and came through the youth academy at Dagenham & Redbridge.

At 17 years old, Bloomfield made his first team debut for the Daggers but soon after joined Isthmian North side Chatham Town.

After loan spells at Erith & Belvedere and Maldon & Tiptree, Bloomfield made a permanent move to Chelmsford City in 2015.

In 2018 the forward then signed for Norwich City and imminently went on loan to Scottish side Hamilton Academical.

After further loan spells at AFC Fylde and Crawley Town in 2019, Bloomfield put pen to paper and signed a permanent deal with Hartlepool at the start of this seasons National League campaign.

LAST TIME WE MET

Boreham Wood 1-1 Hartlepool
Saturday 29^th February 2020
Meadow Park, Vanarama National League

The home side got off to the perfect start, opening the scoring inside the first minute as Kabongo Tshimanga slammed in the loose ball after Killip had pushed Matt Rhead’s header against a post.

The away side equalised moments into the second half as Gime Toure rifled home.

The score line remained equal as BW PASE Academy graduate Sorba Thomas saw a penalty to help Wood take the lead but was saved by Killip in the Pool’s goal.

With 10 minutes remaining Marsh made a great effort for the home side to take all 3 points but the wood could not find the winner as this chance was ruled offside.