Hartlepool United vs Boreham Wood
Saturday, 17th February 2024, 3:00 pm
Suit Direct Stadium, Hartlepool, Vanarama National League
PREVIEW
Tomorrow, The Wood make the 480-mile round trip to Teesside for a crucial mid-table clash with Hartlepool United. Our last meeting with The Pools came at Meadow Park back in October where The Wood ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a late Lee Ndlovu strike. The Pools are currently sat 11th in the table on 41 points after 12 wins, 5 draws, and 16 losses. The Wood, on the other hand, sit 2 places below and only 1 point worse off than Lennie Lawrence’s side but come into this tie off the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Oldham Athletic earlier in the week, despite leading at half-time through Mo Sagaf. The gaffer will be hoping that his side can bounce back from the loss in Greater Manchester with a win in Teesside tomorrow afternoon.
FORM GUIDE
Hartlepool United – D-W-W-L-W
The Pools are currently sat 7th in the form-guide, 5 places above The Wood. In their last 5 league games, Lennie Lawrence’s side have picked up 3 wins and a draw as well as a loss. Following their FA Trophy exit after a loss on penalties to National League South side, Hampton and Richmond, Hartlepool would return to league action with a trip to Kent and a win over Ebbsfleet United. A stunning strike, over the head of the keeper, off the bar and into the net, from Frenchman, Anthony Gomez Manchini would secure the 3 points for The Pools, but his side were unable to replicate this on the Tuesday that followed as they hosted Kidderminster Harriers and would go on to narrowly lose by 1 goal to nil.
The Pools would respond to the Kiddy defeat with a 3-game unbeaten run, however. Lennie Lawrence’s side would welcome York City to Victoria Park in their final January fixture and would come away 2-1 winners thanks to a brace from striker, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. This was followed by a colossal win away at 2nd in the league, Bromley, despite going behind inside the first 10 minutes of the game. This was thanks to another goal from The Pools’ striker as well as an own goal off an unfortunate Kamarl Antonio Grant in The Ravens’ defence. Finally, Hartlepool would travel to Surrey on Saturday to face Woking at the Kingfield Stadium. Young attacking-midfielder, Joe Grey would break the deadlock for Hartlepool inside 7 minutes. The Pools would then hold onto their lead until the 91st minute where they would be denied the 3 points by a last-ditch Lewis Walker strike into the roof of Joel Dixon’s net. Lennie Lawrence will be hoping to return to winning ways tomorrow afternoon when The Wood visit Teesside.
ONES TO WATCH
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe:
30-year-old striker, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe and his goal-scoring ability have played a crucial role for Hartlepool United so far this season. Dieseruvwe, who has featured for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Grimsby Town, Oldham Athletic, Tranmere Rovers and Salford City, joined The Pools from Halifax Town in July of last year. Over the 2022/23 season, Dieseruvwe netted 14 times for Halifax. The forward, however, has already overtaken his goalscoring tally of last season at Halifax with The Pools this season, having hit the back of the net 16 times in 26 games. The Pools’ frontman has bagged 3 goals in his last 3 games, including a brace against York City, and currently finds himself as the 4th top goal scorer in the National League this season. The 30-year-old failed to score in his previous appearance against Woking on Saturday and will be hungry for a goal against Luke Garrard’s side tomorrow, with the striker likely to provide a big challenge for Jack Payne’s back-line.
TICKET INFO
Ticket information can be found here
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