Craig Harrison on 'nightmare' Barrow postponement and how he is preparing Hartlepool squad for Woking test

Pools were set to face Barrow in the National League on Saturday but heavy rain rendered the Holker Street pitch unplayable and it was called off following a morning pitch inspection.

It meant for the second weekend in a row Pools were without a game, with the visit of Woking to Victoria Park this Saturday the first game in three weeks.

Harrison and his players were left frustrated after a positive week on the training pitch in the build-up to the game, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club's future off the pitch.

The Pools boss was trying to take the positives from the situation as it at least allowed some of the players on the road back to fitness more recovery time.

Ahead of the visit of Woking, Pools are 19th, just four points above the National League relegation zone.

"The postponement was a nightmare but I guess it was in keeping with the way things have been going for us," said Harrison.

"It was really disappointing because I felt like we’d had a very good week in training, spirits were high and we were all looking forward to the game.

"The feeling I got from the players when we told them the game was off was just frustration because there was a confidence we could go to Barrow and get the three points.

"On the plus side, it’s a little more recovery time for one or two and another week on the training pitch so that’s good.

"But we just want to get the games going again so we’re pleased we’ve got Saturday and Tuesday coming up and we’ll prepare right to try and win both games.

"Although people were gutted when Saturday’s game was off there is a positive frame of mind with them turning up for training today and they’re all chomping at the bit to get back in to some competitive football."

Harrison is considering arranging a behind-closed doors friendly this week to keep the players ticking over, something they did last week.

The Pools boss added: "We got about 60 or 70 minutes in to most of the players so it was important we did that and we’re glad we did.

"It’s been three weeks without competitive football but we’ve done lots of training in that time and the match was good to just provide that little extra competitive edge.

"We’ll probably look to do something similar this week; it’s tough with the numbers because we are down to the bare bones.

"The young kids have done a great job in the reserves because at this moment in time we can’t afford for any of the senior players to play in that," he told the club website.

* Meanwhile, Hartlepool United has announced the giant-killers of Pools’ 1993 FA Cup triumph over Crystal Palace are set to be reunited next month.

Members of the team will come together again for a special fund-raising event organised by the Supporters’ Trust.

It was in January 1993 that Alan Murray’s men produced one of the shocks of the round when they toppled Premier League Palace at The Vic courtesy of an Andy Saville penalty six minutes from time.

A crowd of almost 7,000 were in attendance and now the heroes of that afternoon are coming back to together to reminisce about the occasion.

The event is to take place at Hartlepool Catholic Club on Saturday 10th March (7pm for 7.30pm start) and tickets are on sale now priced at £20, which includes a pie and pea supper.

All funds raised from the evening will be split between Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation and the Supporters’ Trust.

For information on getting your tickets contact Andy Wilson on 07760 886 715 or Mark Goodman on 07792 588 838 or email [email protected]