Hartlepool United 0-2 Bradford City RECAP: Graeme Lee suffers first defeat at the Suit Direct Stadium
Matty Foulds opened the scoring with 20 minutes remaining capping a swift counter-attack in front of the 700 travelling supporters.
And the visitors doubled their lead just six minute later when Yan Songoo met a corner from the right at the front post to beat Ben Killip.
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Hide AdIt was a goal which knocked the stuffing out of Graeme Lee’s side as they slipped a first defeat on home soil since November.
Lee made three changes to the side who were held by Leyton Orient at the weekend with Luke Molyneux back in the starting XI.
And Molyneux would flank Marcus Carver who made his first start at the Suit Direct Stadium in attack with Martin Smith the third change replacing Mark Shelton in midfield.
Shelton missed out on the squad altogether while Omar Bogle and Tom Crawford dropped to the bench.
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Hide AdPools had Killip to thank when he denied Andy Cook’s powerful header before Carver had the opportunity to open his Pools account.
Smith fed a lovely ball between the lines for Carver to run onto but his first-time effort was saved well by Alex Bass.
And Carver had another chance moments later when Jamie Sterry’s cross from the right found him inside the area but he fired over from close range.
A close game continued in the second half as Molyneux stung the palms of Bass before Joe White tried his luck from range only to be denied by the bar.
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Hide AdBut it was Bradford who took the lead and it came from a Pools corner as a swift counter-attack found Callum Cooke on the left and he drove at the defence before slipping in Foulds from 12 yards and he was able to roll into the far corner beyond Killip.
And no sooner had they taken they lead they doubled their advantage when Cooke’s corner from the right was flicked on by Songoo at the front post and despite Killip getting a hand to it, he found the corner.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of Pools who were unable to come up with a response as Lee suffered defeat for the first time at the Suit Direct Stadium.
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Hartlepool United 0-2 Bradford City RECAP: Two goals in six minutes seal Graeme Lee’s first defeat on home soil.
Key Events
- Yann Songoo converts at the near post from a corner to double the lead
- Matt Foulds caps a swift Bradford City counter-attack to hand the visitors the lead
- Hartlepool United XI: Killip, Sterry, Byrne, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone ©, Smith, White, Grey, Molyneux, Carver
- Subs: Bilokapic, Liddle, Ogle, Francis-Angol, Crawford, Fletcher, Bogle
- Bradford City XI: Bass, O’Connor, Songoo, Cooke, Cook, Foulds, Evans, Watt, Sutton, Hendrie, Pereira
- Subs: O’Donnell, Threlkeld, Walker, Kelleher, Robinson, Lavery, Delfounso
NEW DEAL
Hartlepool United loanee Joe White has today signed a new deal with parent club Newcastle United.
White, who has made nine appearances since joining Hartlepool United on loan, had this to say on Magpies boss Eddie Howe.
“It’s important for me to trust him and have a plan of what I’m going to do in the future and what he wants from me, where he sees me playing, and that gave me the reassurance that this is the right and best place to be.”
Some positive news to start the evening after it was confirmed Hartlepool United striker Omar Bogle has been named the PFA player of the month for February
𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙓𝙄
Graeme Lee has some tough decisions to make as Hartlepool United host Bradford City at the Suit Direct Stadium.
Just three days before travelling to Newport County Lee will need to establish whether to rotate his squad after a laboured draw with Leyton Orient at the weekend.
Luke Molyneux was rested for that draw as he started on the bench and that could be a theme this evening as Le elooks to utilise his squad.
And here is who we predict Lee will start with tonight as the Pools boss makes three changes in our starting XI as the Wolfpack return.
Predicted XI: Killip, Sterry, Byrne, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone (c), Shelton, Holohan, Fletcher, Molyneux, Bogle
𝙉𝙤 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚
Graeme Lee believes he should have no problem in getting his Hartlepool United squad up for the visit of Bradford City.
Pools welcome Mark Hughes’ Bantams to the Suit Direct Stadium looking to put a miserable goalless draw with Leyton Orient behind them.
Although Lee’s side extended an impressive run of form to just one defeat in 11 league games with that draw against the O’s, it was an afternoon to forget in reality with the Pools boss suggesting it was ‘not an enjoyable game to be a part of.’
Bradford, themselves, have been struggling of late with Saturday’s victory over Forest Green Rovers their first in six league games, but Lee insists he should not have to motivate his players for tonight’s clash.
“I shouldn’t have to get them up for it,” explained Lee.
“The lads will be up for it. You’ve got to be. You’re playing Bradford, a massive club and a local team for us at home. It will be bouncing and it’s a game where we need to be on it.
“They’ve just beaten the top of the league so it’s a hell of a result for them.
“We need to not perform like we did but look at the positives from Rotherham. They’re the type of performances we want at home.
“I can’t wait to get on there because I need to forget this.”
𝙇𝙚𝙚 𝙫 𝙃𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙨
Graeme Lee is relishing the opportunity to come up against Mark Hughes as Hartlepool United face Bradford City.
Former Manchester City boss Hughes replaced Derek Adams at Valley Parade last month for his first role in management since 2018.
Hughes’ appointment was seen as a coup for the League Two side and the Welshman earned his first victory as new boss in Saturday’s surprise win at league leaders Forest Green Rovers.
Hughes has a wealth of experience in the dugout with the likes of City, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and Southampton as well as being recognised for his talents on the field as a star of Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea.
And Lee has admitted he is excited to come up against one of the game’s greats tonight.
“He’s a legend of the game. As a player he’s done it, and as a manager,” said Lee.
“So I’m looking forward to it. But I’m looking forward to Tuesday night so we can get this [draw with Leyton Orient] out the way quickly.”
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
Hartlepool United host Bradford City in League Two and Mark Hughes has revealed he has a ‘couple’ of injury concerns.
One player likely to miss out is Alex Gilliead with an ankle injury.
Ahead of the game, Hughes said: “We’ve got a couple of concerns that might resolve themselves or not. But we’ve got good numbers now and if players miss out, we can fill the void.
“Alex has opened up his ankle joint. He’s probably been carrying it for a few weeks and got a bang on it just before the game.
“It’s a bit of concern but if he is to miss out, he should be okay for the weekend. It’s not a long-term thing.
“The group is getting bigger. It’s important that we do get those numbers,” he told the Telegraph and Argus.
Bradford City boss reveals injury concern ahead of Hartlepool United trip
Hartlepool United host Bradford City in League Two on Tuesday night and Mark Hughes has revealed he has a ‘couple’ of injury concerns.
𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨
Graeme Lee could shake things up with his starting XI tonight owing to another tough schedule for Hartlepool United.
On Saturday we saw Luke Molyneux start from the bench after the striker suggested he was feeling fatigued given his endeavours over recent weeks and we may see something similar tonight with Pools still to travel to Newport County on Friday.
Molyneux came of the bench and managed just under 30 minutes unscathed which could see him return to the Pools front line tonight.
But with the likes of Gavan Holohan, Isaac Fletcher and Marcus Carver all vying for starts, Lee will have a decision on his hands.
“You’re always thinking about selection,” said Lee.
“I’ll have a watch of Bradford and all of their play and go through what they do and assess our lads to make sure we’re ready to go again.”
𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚
Hello and welcome to the Suit Direct Stadium for tonight’s League Two fixture between Hartlepool United and Bradford City.
After what was a very low-key affair on Saturday I think it’s fair to say we’re all looking forward to seeing Pools back out there this evening as they welcome Mark Hughes’ Bradford.
It is the second of three games in just six days for Graeme Lee’s side and we’ll be with you throughout the evening to provide you with all the team news and updates in our live blog with the Hartlepool Mail.