Assistant manager Joe Parkinson discusses the importance of momentum for Hartlepool United ahead of crucial festive spell

Pools face Harrogate Town on Boxing Day before hosting league leaders Barrow prior to the return fixture against Harrogate on New Year’s Day.

Hartlepool also faced the North Yorkshire outfit last weekend in the FA Trophy as they crumbled late on.

But they responded with a convincing National League win over Dagenham at Victoria Park on Saturday. A result that restored confidence in the side.

“The atmosphere was chalk and cheese compared to last weekend but the players don’t get carried away,” said assistant manager Joe Parkinson.

“We recognise that it’s an important win and a great start to the Christmas period but we as staff won’t get carried away with that and we’ll make sure the lads in the changing room keep their feet on the ground.

“We’ve got such a hard run coming up which is why Saturday was such an important win for us.

“With no disrespect to Dagenham, most people would have expected us to win that game even though it was hard. It just gives us that bit of momentum going into difficult run of fixtures.

“Momentum is huge because it gives you confidence as well especially if you win by playing well and keeping a clean sheet. Everything is positive from Saturday but no one is getting carried away, it’s one victory which will hopefully push us onto another and carry us up the table and into the play-off places.”