FC Hartlepool will hope to claim their first win of the Northern League Division Two season when they host Billingham Town on Tuesday.

FC Hartlepool assistant manager Mark Loynes delivered a brutally honest assessment of his side’s 4-1 home defeat against Northern League Division Two rivals Boldon CA - but insisted ‘things will improve’ after a slow start to the season.

Terry Hill’s men claimed a point in each of their first two games of the season after following up a stalemate at Darlington Town on the opening day of the season by earning a share of the spoils against Ryton and Crawcrook Albion in their first home game of the campaign last Tuesday night.

FC Hartlepool management team Terry Hill (L) and Mark Loynes (R) (Photo Martyn Tweddle) | Martyn Tweddle

placeholder image — FC Hartlepool management team Terry Hill (L) and Mark Loynes (R) (Photo Martyn Tweddle) | Martyn Tweddle

There were high hopes FC could secure their first maximum when they hosted a much-changed Boldon on Saturday - but they found themselves on the end of a comprehensive defeat after the visitors claimed a 4-1 win at Grayfields. Robbie Gateshill, Liam Thear and Max Cowburn had already found the net for Boldon by the time Liam Appleby reduced the arrears with just eight minutes remaining. However, it was Boldon that had the final say in the game as Gateshill doubled his tally in the closing stages to end any doubt over the destination of the points.

Loynes could not hide his disappointment over the performance at both ends of the pitch - but insisted the FC players are fully aware they must improve as soon as possible.

He told The Mail: “We are massively disappointed with with the result. We take nothing away from Boldon, who have recruited well and had a great start to the season because they are a decent side, but we can’t gift teams goals like we did today. All four are avoidable and that is massively disappointing from our side. Going forward, we looked toothless and out of ideas, which is just not good enough for where we want to be. All in all, it’s not the start to the season we wanted - but things will improve and sharpish and the lads know that.”

A home game with Billingham Town on Tuesday night is next on the agenda for Terry Hill’s side before they visit Chester-le-Street Town on Friday night.

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