Are Hartlepool United ready for the new season? Pre-season campaign assessed following 4-1 win at Gateshead

Six matches, three wins, three draws, 26 goals scored and seven conceded doesn’t even cover half the story of a pre-season that has had the threat of coronavirus and resulting uncertainty lingering throughout for Pools.

But on Saturday, Dave Challinor’s side were able to complete their friendly schedule without a hitch as they strolled to a 4-1 victory at the International Stadium.

A first-half strike from Gary Liddle saw the visitors 1-0 ahead at the break before goals from Joe Grey, David Parkhouse and Claudio Ofosu saw them run out as convincing winners despite Macaulay Langstaff’s late consolation for Gateshead.

The build-up to the match saw friendlies due to take place on Friday against Middlesbrough under-23s and subsequently Consett called off after a Pools player tested positive for coronavirus during the week.

With Challinor keen to get all available members of his squad playing a full 90-minutes over the weekend, a last-minute practice match at Darlington was played in private on Saturday morning before the rest of the squad lined-up to face Gateshead.

Mason Bloomfield and Rhys Oates were on the scoresheet against the Quakers as the match ended 2-2.

The game saw Luke Williams end his encouraging pre-season with 90-minutes as he looks to continue his road to recovery and secure a contract.

Back at the International Stadium, a strong Pools XI of Ben Killip, Ryan Donaldson, Gary Liddle, Timi Odusina, David Ferguson, Nicky Featherstone, Tom Crawford, Gavan Holohan, Joe Grey, Claudio Ofosu and David Parkhouse all completed the full game.

After a fairly tight opening 20-minutes, Pools started to control the match as Liddle slid the ball in from the ever-impressive Featherstone’s corner.

The midfielder played a key role in helping Hartlepool dominate possession and control the match – barely being troubled by a toothless Gateshead attack.

The evident rustiness seen at Blyth a fortnight ago had been removed and replaced by a distinct sharpness and intent to attack.

Second-half strikes from Grey, Parkhouse and Ofosu epitomised Pools’ attacking ruthlessness when moving the ball.

And Bloomfield and Parkhouse getting amongst the goals over the weekend will no doubt give Challinor the right sort of selection headache ahead of next weekend’s season opener against Aldershot Town. Both strikers have enjoyed solid pre-seasons in less than ideal circumstances.

Meanwhile, Grey and Ofosu have proven to be real bright sparks in the side. Ofosu has arguably been Hartlepool’s player of pre-season with four goals to his name, albeit against lower-level opposition.

Grey has proven to be something of a surprise package over the course of the friendly matches too. It’s a testament to the 17-year-old’s tenacity that he has been able to thrust himself into the first-team picture as we approach the opening weekend.

The win still left room for improvement. Pools losing possession inside their own half leading to Gateshead finding the net with the last kick of the game highlighted some familiar issues at the back.

But with only four recognised defenders in the 18 man squad, defensive reinforcements are fully expected before the Aldershot match.

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