Hartlepool United v Wealdstone: Stones manager, form and dangerman assessed

Hartlepool United are back at Victoria Park this weekend as they host National League rivals Wealdstone.

Pete Wild’s side will hope to build on their National League Cup win against Leeds United and move out of the relegation zone with a win against a Stones side still reeling from a shock FA Cup first round defeat against Dover Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

That defeat only added to what has been a challenging start to the season for the Stones and they will travel to The Vic knowing they need to return to winning ways to open up a gap on the bottom four in non-league’s top tier. But what do we know about Wealdstone ahead of Saturday’s game?

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Who is Wealdstone’s manager?

Former Queens Park Rangers and Luton Town midfielder Gary Waddock has been in charge of the Stones since February as he returned to the main role in the dugout after a spell as assistant head coach at Walsall. Within weeks of taking charge, Waddock had guided his new side to the FA Trophy final - although they were unable to secure silverware after suffering a penalty shoot-out defeat against Southend United.

How have Wealdstone fared this season?

As it stands, just three points and three places separate the two sides ahead of Saturday’s game. Pools are sitting in the relegation zone after winning five of their 16 league games during the opening three months of the campaign. Wealdstone have also won five of their first 16 games of the campaign - although they head to Victoria Park on a low after they were sent out of the FA Cup with a first round defeat against National League South club Dover Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

Who is Wealdstone’s dangerman?

For Pools forward Olufela Olomola has made a big impact with the Stones this season after scoring six goals in 16 league games. The 29-year-old was a Pools player between the summer of 2021 and departed to join Wealdstone just under 12 months later.

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