Hartlepool United lose Salford City friendly

Hartlepool United's pre-season programme has been hit for a second time after the friendly at Salford City was scrapped.
Craig Hignett: Down to five friendliesCraig Hignett: Down to five friendlies
Craig Hignett: Down to five friendlies

Pools have announced that their return to Moor Lane on Tuesday, July 26 has been cancelled by the National League North side due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

The loss of the re-match with their FA Cup second round foes from last season knocks Pools down to five pre-season fixtures.

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Pools opened up their friendly schedule today with a trip to Billingham Town.

Boss Craig Hignett had hoped to play two matches in Tenerife at their La Caleta base, against a fellow Football League club and an island XI.

But after the match against the unnamed English club fell through, Hignett decided to use the week in the largest of the Canary Islands for training only.

After their return, Pools host Sunderland on Wednesday, July 20 before having two games inside 24 hours on the penultimate weekend of the close season.

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Pools will play Spennymoor on Friday, July 22 before travelling to Scottish Premier side Livingston the following afternoon.

Hignett’s side will complete their preparations with a home match with League One Scunthorpe on Saturday, July 30.

It is likely the Pools manager will look to fill the void left by Salford.

The match with the Moors was added this week and will be staged at Bedford Terrace with Spennymoor’s Brewery Field HQ currently undergoing work.

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Pools won 4-0 when the sides met at the Brewery Field 12 months ago, but Jason Ainsley’s team will provide a tough test after their rise to the EvoStik Premier League.

Spennymoor won promotion back in April when they beat Northwich Victoria 2-0 in the Evo-Stik Division One North play-off final.