Anger must be the energy as Hartlepool United turn focus towards FC Halifax Town - insists Merrick

Hartlepool United goalkeeper Max Merrick has urged his team-mates to use the anger and frustration caused by Friday’s defeat against Eastleigh to inspire them to a more positive result in Tuesday’s visit to National League rivals FC Halifax Town.

Lee Clark’s side fell to consecutive defeats for the first time this season after a last-gasp goal from Nelson Khumbeni gave the visitors all three points in the most cruel of circumstances as a hardworking display from a Pools side reduced to ten men by Neo Eccleston’s red card went without reward. There were chances for Merrick and his side to claim at least a point as Jack Nolan went close twice in the closing stages before substitute Khumbeni snatched all three points for the Spitfires.

Pools have a chance to get themselves back to winning ways when they travel to Halifax on Tuesday night - and on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Merrick wants anger to be their energy at The Shay.

Speaking after Friday night’s defeat, the young stopper said: “I think, first and foremost, the fans were outstanding and they got us through that second-half when we were down to ten men. They were brilliant through the whole game. But that frustration, that disappointment, we have to use it and I know we will. We know we should have won that game, we should have never conceded, it should have been nil-nil at worst. Going into the Halifax game, we have to use it and we will use that frustration. Nobody likes losing, so we know we will go and do that and get the win on Tuesday.”

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‘It’s been hectic week’ - Max Merrick on injury issue

Merrick returned to the Pools starting eleven for the defeat against Eastleigh after a thigh injury had ruled him out of the loss at Sutton United six days earlier. The England Under-20 international had returned to parent club Chelsea after watching his Lee Clark’s men in action last and had the injury assessed before returning to the North East on Thursday. After taking part in Pools’ final training sessions before Friday night’s game, Merrick was deemed fit enough to return to the starting lineup and his rewarded Clark with an impressive performance that led to him being named as supporters man of the match. The 20-year-old reflected on what he described as ‘a hectic week’ and praised Clark, his coaching staff and his Pools team-mates for the attention they showed towards him ahead of his return to contention.

He said: “After the Aldershot game, I had a bit of a quad strain and I was a bit sore. So I went back to Chelsea and then drove up. In fairness, the manager was great and the staff, the players were asking how I was getting on - but it’s been weird. I drove up on Tuesday evening and I was there for the whole week and I came back up on the Thursday and got straight into training. It’s been a hectic week.”

Your next Hartlepool United read: 78 brilliant photos of passionate Hartlepool United fans backing Lee Clark's side against Eastleigh