Gavan Holohan reveals his Hartlepool United goal target

The Pools midfielder and on-loan Stockport County striker Richie Bennett scored as Dave Challinor’s side climbed to the top of the National League, moving past rivals Sutton United, though they have four games in hand.

Holohan has revealed he was initially aiming for 15 goals this term but would now happily settle for double figures, especially if it helped Pools win promotion back to the Football League.

Pools have a free midweek of fixtures and return to action away to Wealdstone on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Holohan said: “My target was probably 15 before the start of the season and I should probably be on that now to be honest with the chances I’ve had.

"If I can get double figures then I won’t turn my nose up at that.

"I know Lukey wants it, not just our top scorer, the top scorer in the league and I know he keeps an eye on that as well.

"You wouldn’t bet against him and it’s good competition and if we’re winning games it doesn’t really matter who is scoring as long as we keep getting three points and getting us closer to where we want to be.”

Meanwhile, Holohan has also praised the impact made by Mark Shelton this season.

The former Salford City midfielder, 24, is always among the Pools players to cover the most ground and that is appreciated by Holohan, who has enjoyed playing alongside him.

Holohan added: “He’s a funny guy.

"Shelts does a lot of work that goes unnoticed where he covers 12.5k every game getting about the pitch.

"He’s creative and with Feath anchoring behind, it gives us license to get forward and run around like maniacs. It’s a good partnership which just seems to work.”

Given the amount of games Sutton have in hand it is likely Pools will have to settle for a play-off spot this season but Dave Challinor will take his squad to Wealdstone on Saturday looking to build on the excellent form of recent weeks and keep up the pressure.

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