Hartlepool United vs. Latics

Sky Bet League Two - Matchday 24

31 December 2021

Latics make the journey to the North East as they face Hartlepool United on New Year's Day (3pm KO).

In midweek, Selim Benachour's outfit faced fellow strugglers, Barrow AFC, on away turf with nearly 500 supporters travelling up to Cumbria.

Latics managed to secure a point and clean sheet against the Bluebirds with Carl Piergianni producing an excellent goal-line clearance to prevent Josh Gordon from netting a winner.

Form Guide

Pools enter the fixture on the back of a frustrating 3-2 defeat away at Mansfield Town on Boxing Day. Graeme Lee's side found themselves two-nil up in the encounter before the Stags implemented a remarkable comeback within 15 minutes.

Ticket News

13122021 Hartlepool Away Ticket News

30 December 2021

Prior to that, Hartlepool have been thriving under the tenure of the new manager with a four-game unbeaten run across the league and two cup competitions since his appointment in Durham.

In the Papa John's Trophy, the Monkey Hangers picked up an emphatic victory against Sheffield Wednesday before knocking Lincoln City out of the Emirates FA Cup.

Following that, Mark Shelton's 92nd-minute strike earned Hartlepool a hard-fought three points on home soil against Rochdale, and then, they played out a goalless with Scunthorpe United.

The Pools Last Six:

Mansfield Town 3-2 Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United 0-0 Scunthorpe United
Hartlepool United 2-1 Rochdale
Lincoln City 0-1 Hartlepool United (Emirates FA Cup)
Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Hartlepool United (Papa John's Trophy)
Port Vale 2-0 Hartlepool United

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 69

Latics wins: 33
Hartlepool wins: 22
Draws: 14

Earlier in the campaign, Latics held Pools to a goalless draw in September at Boundary Park which was the sides first meeting since 2013.

Interestingly, Lee Johnson, in his first game in the dugout, steered 'the boys in blue' to an impressive 3-0 win against the Monkey Hangers on that occasion with Robbie Simpson, Jean-Yves Mvoto and Jose Baxter on the scoresheet.

In the reverse fixture, Baxter netted a brace in order to secure maximum points on the road to climb to 18^thin Sky Bet League One.

Hartlepool were last victorious over Latics in December 2011 as James Poole's goal separated the teams at full-time at Boundary Park.

Watch Out For

Mark Cullen will be a handful for the Latics backline tomorrow.

Mark Cullen.jpg

The 29-year-old began his career at Hull City, and spent time out on loan away from the MKM Stadium at Bradford City, Bury and Stockport County.

Luton Town secured the services of the attacker on a permanent basis in May 2013. After two seasons with the Hatters, Cullen scored 24 goals and helped the Bedfordshire-based outfit win promotion to the EFL which resulted in a move to Blackpool for a fee of £180,000.

The forward possesses an abundance of intelligent movement in the final third which was showcased at the Seasiders. Overall, he netted 26 times in 108 appearances, including a promotion to Sky Bet League One, before spells at Carlisle United and Port Vale.

Cullen has fired six goals in 20 outings, so far, for Pools.

In The Dugout

Graeme Lee occupies the hot seat at Hartlepool.

Graeme Lee.jpeg

A former defender, Lee started his playing career at the club in 1995 and established himself in the starting XI on a regular basis until 2003 as Sheffield Wednesday swooped in for him.

The 43-year-old would go on to play for a host of sides which includes Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City and Notts County before hanging his boots up in 2013 with five promotions to his name.

In June 2019, Lee got his first taste of coaching as he was appointed as Middlesbrough U23s Head Coach and, thoroughly, impressed in his role amongst his peers in Teeside.

Lee replaced Dave Challinor, who departed for Stockport County, in December 2021 and, so far, he's picked up four points from a possible nine.

Stadium

The Suit Direct Stadium (Victoria Park)

Hartlepool United.jpg

Capacity: 7,856

Opened: 1886

Record attendance: 17,264 (vs Manchester United in 1957)

Match Officials

The official in the middle for the game is Scott Oldham.

Scott Oldham.jpg

Oldham last officiated a Latics game in August 2021 as we beat Tranmere Rovers on penalties after a 2-2 scoreline in the Carabao Cup at Boundary Park. On that day, he handed out two yellow cards and zero red cards.

He's taken charge of 22 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 67 yellow cards and two red cards.

Oldham will be assisted by Johnathon Bickerdike and Helen Edwards, with Simon Clayton as the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

The hosts are priced at 21/20 for the three points whereas Latics can be found at 5/2.

A draw is situated at 23/10.

Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org

How To Follow The Game

Live commentary is available on iFollow Latics with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown who will be talking you through the match action.

Unfortunately, an iFollow match pass stream isn't available in the UK due to the 3pm blackout from broadcasters.

For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page by clicking here.

Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.

Match Reports

Hartlepool United 0-0 Latics

1 January 2022

Latics were left to reflect on missed chances at the start and finish of the game as they began the New Year with a point at Hartlepool.

After the stalemate at Barrow in midweek, this was a second goalless draw in the space of three days for Selim Benachour’s side, although their return should perhaps have been greater.

While Davis Keillor-Dunn hit the crossbar when through on goal in the opening stages, Jack Stobbs had a golden chances as the final whistle loomed before fellow substitute Daylan Bahamboula shot narrowly wide in added time.

Having struck the woodwork three times themselves, Hartlepool will also feel that they could have secured the win but after a busy schedule, Latics will take heart from the point and performance.

This was the third game in the space of a week for Benachour’s side and the Interim Head Coach made one change from the draw at Barrow, Jamie Bowden replacing Jamie Hopcutt in midfield as the visitors also switched shape to a 4-3-3.

A lively start belied the poor recent form of both sides, the best chance of the opening half falling to Latics.

With space opening up invitingly in front of him as he approached the edge of the area on nine minutes, Keillor-Dunn opted to try to lift a shot over Ben Killip, only for his effort to strike the crossbar when he ought to have done better.

That chance aside, the early exchanges belonged to the home side, who were also denied by the woodwork when Gevan Holohan’s shot at the far post hit the upright after a scramble in the Latics area.

Nicky Featherstone saw a shot deflected wide, while Jayson Leutwiler got down low to parry a drive from David Ferguson but after a bright opening from the home side, Latics showed increased purpose.

Their growing confidence was shown with two chances for Bowden as he received the ball outside the area from a Nicky Adams corner. Having seen his initial effort blocked by Featherstone, the Latics midfielder then placed the rebound wide.

Although Luke Molyneux, on as a first-half substitute, flashed a fierce shot wide of the visitors’ goal, Latics remained the stronger side, Bowden again going close before Killip had to readjust as Gary Liddle sent a header from an Adams cross towards his own goal.

As in the first half, Hartlepool re-emerged after the break with intent, Featherstone sending a shot just wide of the post before Ferguson struck the woodwork with an angled first-time effort.

Having made his introduction as a half-time substitute, Hopcutt had a great chance for the visitors, receiving a pass from Sam Hart in a central position. He did well to turn but was unable to keep his shot down.

Despite opportunities for Holohan and Molyneux, the second half was relatively quiet until a frenetic finish saw both sides go close.

Hopcutt had another great chance after being played in by Stobbs but after doing well to create the chance his low effort was saved by Killip.

The home side hit the woodwork for a third time when Leutwiler touched a header from Holohan onto a post before two late chances for Latics.

Stobbs was unable to get his shot on target having been played clean through into a great position by Bahamboula, who then placed an angled shot inches wide in added time.

Oldham Athletic: Leutwiler, Clarke (Stobbs 41), Hart, McGahey (Hopcutt 46), Piergianni, Adams, Whelan, Hope, Keillor-Dunn, Bowden (Bahamboula 64), Diarra.

Subs not used: Rogers, Couto, Vaughan, Turner.

Hartlepool United: Killip, Sterry, Byrne, Liddle, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone, Shelton, Holohan, Burey (Grey86), Cook (Molyneux 34).

Subs not used: Boyes, Francis-Angol, Crawford, Daly, Olomola.

Referee: Darren Handley

Attendance: 5,026 (381 away).

Ticket News

Hartlepool United (A) Tickets & Travel

30 December 2021

Ticket and travel information for the away fixture at Victoria Park (Suit Direct Stadium) against Hartlepool United (Saturday 1 January 2022 - 3pm KO).

Tickets for the game up in the North East on New Year's Day are expected to go straight to general sale from 10am on Tuesday 14 December.

The club hasn't received a specific allocation for the Sky Bet League Two fixture, instead, Latics fans will have to go direct to the hosts due to the tight festive period deadlines enforced.

Away supporters are situated in the Simpson Millar Stand (also known as the Rink End). This is an all-seated stand that has a maximum capacity of 1,035. There is no terraced area available for away supporters.

To secure your seat ahead of the match, supporters must purchase tickets online via Hartlepool's website by clicking here. Please note there is a booking fee of £1.50 per transaction with an additional £1 added if postage is required. Tickets can be collected from Hartlepool or printed out at home as an alternative.

In order to get a ticket through their portal:

Select the 'Book Now' button on the specific fixture option.
Click 'change to away' at the top.
Then select a block in the Simpson Millar Solicitors Stand (E or F).
Add your seat(s) and price order to your basket before completing your transaction at the checkout.

You can also purchase directly with Hartlepool's ticket office on 01429 272584.

Alternatively, fans can pay on the day at their ticket office on Clarence Road if tickets remain, with cash and card payment options accepted, but slightly increased matchday admission does apply.

Tickets for the game are priced at:

Category	Advanced Price	Matchday
Adult	£20	£21
Concessions* (65+, U19, Student, Armed Forces)	£14	£15
U16s	£5	£6
U5s**	Free	Free

*ID will be required on entry.

**Must be accompanied by an adult.

Coach Travel

Coach travel is also available again for supporters at the following prices. A 49-seater has been arranged but is dependent on sales with a departure time of 11am from Boundary Park.