Hartlepool United (H) Preview...

After our first away win of the season last weekend, it’s back to Sixfields on Friday evening as The Cobblers host Hartlepool United.

Form

Hartlepool came from three goals down last weekend to draw 3-3 with Swindon Town at Victoria Park. Joel Porter grabbed a hat-trick to complete a stunning fight back and to keep ‘Pool in mid-table.

The Cobblers won away from home for the first time in the league this season as goals from Danny Jackman, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Abdul Osman secured a good 3-1 win at Crewe last Saturday. The win took us up four places to sixteenth in League One.

Team News

Cobblers boss Stuart Gray will face a tough decision on whether or not to bring Chris Doig back into action. The defender has been out for three weeks but made a playing return against Birmingham City reserves this week. There will also be a late decision made on the fitness of Adebayo Akinfenwa as the front man struggles with a shin problem. Striker Colin Larkin will definitely miss the game with a hamstring injury though after sitting out of last weekends’ win at Crewe.

Hartlepool may welcome back defender Ben Clark into the starting line-up after he recovered from an ankle injury to make the bench in last Friday’s draw with Swindon. Loan signing Kevin Kyle should start again up front but Willie Boland remains out with a knee ligament sprain.

Recent Meetings

22/02/08: HARTLEPOOL 0-1 COBBLERS
A late strike from Giles Coke sneaks under the body of Jan Budtz in the Pool goal as the Cobblers take all three points at Victoria Park.


04/03/00: HARTLEPOOL 2-1 COBBLERS

Paul Stephenson and Graeme Lee give Hartlepool the lead and a Carlo Corazzin strike isn't enough to give us anything from the game.


11/09/99: COBBLERS 2-1 HARTLEPOOL

Tommy Miller puts United in front in the first half but Steve Howard scores twice in the second half to turn the game in our favour.


25/01/97: COBBLERS 3-0 HARTLEPOOL

Neil Grayson scores a hat trick in four minutes either side of half time to ease the Cobblers to victory in the Wembley season of 1997.


29/10/96: HARTLEPOOL 0-2 COBBLERS

Neil Grayson scores in the first minute at Victoria Park before Sean Parrish adds a second in the 22nd minute to hand The Cobblers a good win away from home.


Head to Head...Cobblers v Pool...

Games Played: 58

Cobblers Wins: 24

Draws: 14

Hartlepool Wins: 20