Dave Challinor struggling arrange friendly matches for Hartlepool United in January with Solihull Moors match brought forward

First round exits from the FA Cup and FA Trophy have freed up Pools’ schedule significantly after a hectic festive period.

Dave Challinor’s side are set to host Wealdstone at Victoria Park this weekend before playing their rearranged match at Halifax Town the following Tuesday night.

After another free weekend, they are set to make the long journey down to Weymouth before concluding the month the following Saturday at home to play-off rivals Sutton United.

And after playing and winning three games in the space of six days between December 22 and 28, Pools are now scheduled to play just four matches over a 39 day period.

It’s a huge contrast during a season that has threatened fixture pile-ups. Having such a sparse run of fixtures without any coronavirus related cancellations is rare.

As a result, Challinor is hoping to arrange some friendly matches, but it’s currently proving difficult.

“We obviously don’t have a Saturday game on the 16th which we’re trying to arrange a friendly game for but we’ve had no success at the moment,” he told The Mail.

“January, we’ve got a four game month as it stands but it’s an important month which gives us plenty of time to prepare for games and do everything we need to keep moving forward.”

When discussing the rearrangement for the Halifax fixture, Challinor added: “We needed to put days forward that worked for us and the next three Tuesdays worked for us in terms of where we are because we’ve got no midweek games and no game on the 16th.

"I envisaged the middle Tuesday was always going to be the most likely. We’ll prepare as normal and this Tuesday, we’ll look to get a friendly game anyway for the players who need them.

"We’ve got players within the squad who could do with some minutes and with players coming back from injury, potentially further down the line in January that could do with a game that will help them get back ready for the first team.”

Pools have also confirmed that their fixture at home to Solihull Moors on Tuesday, February 9 has had its kick-off time brought forward to 6pm.

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