Harrogate Town 1-2 Hartlepool United RECAP: Luke Molyneux caps landmark appearance with wonder strike as Pools come from behind to beat Harrogate

Hartlepool United are looking for a reaction as they take on Harrogate Town at the Envirovent Stadium.

Pools were comfortably beaten at Walsall seven days ago leaving manager Graeme Lee angered after what has been an excellent run of form.

But the Pools boss has spent the full week on the training ground with his side as they look to return to winning ways.

Pools will be without Neill Byrne who is suspended while there are doubts over Bryn Morris and Zaine Francis-Angol.

Jamie Sterry was assessed after completing 90 minutes upon his return at the Banks’s Stadium a week ago but is expected to feature.

Luke Molyneux revealed he is in talks with the club over a new deal in midweek as he edges towards his 100th appearance for the club.

And here we predict two changes to Lee’s side who were beaten a week ago with youngster Joe Grey returning in attack and Mark Shelton returning to the midfield.

Predicted XI: Killip, Sterry, Liddle, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone (c), Shelton, Crawford, Grey, Molyneux, Bogle

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has praised Hartlepool United supporters and is expecting another partisan following from the Poolies this weekend.

Graeme Lee’s side travel to the Envirovent Stadium on Saturday lunchtime looking to bounce back from their first defeat in eight games in League Two following last week’s 3-1 defeat at Walsall.

And they face a Harrogate side who have won just one of their last six games following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Port Vale.

Pools have fond memories of the last meeting with the Sulphurites after coming from 2-0 behind to stage an incredible victory over Weaver’s side, scoring three times in seven second half minutes.

And the Harrogate boss still remembers the noise generated from Pools supporters at the Suit Direct Stadium that day back in October and is anticipating a similar atmosphere from the 600 travelling fans who have sold out the away end at the Envirovent Stadium.

“We’re looking forward to the game and we know Hartlepool will bring with them a partisan crowd,” said Weaver.

“They were amazing at their place and in the game that we played at our venue a couple of years ago in the FA Trophy, it was a good atmosphere too.

“I’ve always said it, crowds play a significant role in the performance of teams and when they’re right behind you, it does make a positive impact on the team’s performance.

“I think that game was particularly difficult, and the timing of goals didn’t help in terms of spurring on their supporters as well, but they deserve credit for their role in that day too.”

Hartlepool United’s in-form striker Omar Bogle admits he does not feel any pressure with regards to his move to the Suit Direct Stadium.

Bogle has hit the ground running since making the switch to Pools late in the January window after leaving League One side Doncaster Rovers.

The 29-year-old scored his fourth goal in eight appearances for Pools in last weekend’s defeat at Walsall with Graeme Lee’s side having shown a big upturn in form since Bogle’s arrival.

And Pools displayed their faith in the 29-year-old by offering him a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club with Bogle seen as the focal point of the attack while they continue to consolidate back in the Football League.

With that brings an added responsibility on the forward’s shoulders, but it is something Bogle admits he does not feel after making a big impression since joining the club.

Asked when he feels pressure about the move Bogle told The Mail: “Not really.

“The manager has done everything he can to bring me to the club and he showed his faith in me and has believed in me so there’s no pressure.

“It’s just up to me to repay that faith he’s put in me.”

Hartlepool United have a big week ahead of them as they welcome Rotherham United to the Suit Direct Stadium in the Papa John’s Trophy semi-final.

But Pools boss Graeme Lee admits he has not thought about Wednesday’s semi-final with the focus entirely on today’s trip to Harrogate.

“I’ve had not one thought about it. I know the game, and we’re excited by the game, but I’ve not had one thought regarding team selection influencing the cup game,” Lee revealed.

Speaking at the EFL Trophy tour in midweek Lee continued by saying: “The whole cup run, both the cups, the FA Cup and the Papa John’s, has been exciting for the club and the fans and everyone associated with it and having the trophy here makes it real.

“But I’m trying not to think about it. I’m thinking about Harrogate, and rightly so, but you see the trophy and then you get a bit excited.

“So it’s one where when we get Saturday out of the way then the focus will go on it.”

Graeme Lee is hoping to make it a ‘feisty’ occasion in what he is describing as a derby game as Hartlepool United travel to Harrogate Town.

Pools make their shortest trip of the season on Saturday lunchtime when they head to the Envirovent Stadium to take on Simon Weaver’s side as they look to bounce back from last week’s defeat at Walsall.

Pools got the upper hand when the two teams met earlier in the season at the Suit Direct Stadium thanks to a dramatic turnaround and Lee is hoping his side can make it just as meaningful this time around.

“I think we need to. We have to have that focus,” Lee told The Mail.

“Because of where we are, it’s probably our closest game in the league so you take that and fire the lads up a little bit like it’s a derby game.

“I’ll be speaking to the lads about it and the reaction and the mentality with how we approach this game. It’s our closest game.

“I remember the Darlo games and that’s obviously Hartlepool’s biggest rivals and the big games but where we are at the moment, Harrogate are the next game closest to us and it’s exciting for us to use that.

“That’s what it means to us. It’s our closest game so let’s go and make it as feisty as we can and make it exciting.”

Graeme Lee admits there are still one or two injury concerns within his squad despite enjoying a full week back on the training ground.

Pools will be without defender Neill Byrne who serves the second of his two match suspension for collecting his 10th yellow card in the win over Colchester United.

Meanwhile midfielder Bryn Morris continues to struggle with an ankle injury picked up in the draw with Sutton United while Zaine Francis-Angol has a hamstring issue.

“He’s one of them that’s day-by-day,” Lee told The Mail on Morris.

“You’re checking it and managing him. He was rugby tackled against Sutton and the foul was given against Bryn. He rolled his ankle so he’s still got some bruising.”

Lee added: “The majority are ok, but we’ve still got ones who we were hoping to be back who are still struggling so they’re still being assessed.

“I think their bodies just went through a hell of a lot, especially the lads who played week-in, week-out through the fixtures.”

Hello and welcome to the Envirovent Stadium as Hartlepool United return to action this lunchtime against Harrogate Town.

Graeme Lee’s side are on the road for the third successive game in League Two but, thankfully, the miles have eased with this Pools’ shortest journey of the season to North Yorkshire.

Pools saw their eight game unbeaten run come to an end last time out at Walsall where they fell to a 3-1 defeat at the Banks’s Stadium.

And we’ll have all of the action live in our blog as Pools look to get back to winning ways in League Two.