Hartlepool United’s youngsters were on the receiving end of a harsh lesson.

Hartlepool United’s youngsters were on the receiving end of a harsh lesson at Victoria Park this afternoon as they lost to Middlesbrough’s Under-21 side 10-0 in the National League Cup.

It was made clear beforehand that Pools would use the competition to provide opportunities for ‘emerging talent and strengthen the pathway between the academy and first team’ but if this evidence was anything to go by, there is a great deal of work still to do. Academy Manager Alex Cross led the side at Victoria Park, in front of hundreds of fans, against the Middlesbrough Premier League 2 side.

Last season it is understood the competition forces clubs to start a minimum of four players in National League Cup matches that started for teams in either their previous league match, or start in the one that follows on from that particular National League Cup match. The Tuesday afternoon game at Victoria Park against Boro quickly descended into farce when first team players Brooklyn Ilunga, Will Harris, Chris Popov and first team captain Jack Hunter were all subbed within the opening minute.

It didn’t get any better for Pools and they found themselves 3-0 down at half-time, Coulson, Campbell and Tika-Lemba with the goals for Boro in the opening 45. Any hopes of a better second half quickly faded, as Coulson went on to complete his hat-trick - ending the game with four goals - while Campbell, James, Kakai and Harrison all chipped in with goals to make it 10-0 at the final whistle. With it technically being classed as a first team fixture, it was therefore the club’s record-ever heaviest defeat, surpassing 1962's 10-1 defeat to Wrexham.

Hartlepool United are in Group C alongside Boreham Wood, Solihull Moors, Tamworth, Everton, Leeds United, Middlesbrough & Newcastle United. Everton PL2 visit Victoria Park on Tuesday, September 8th (7pm), followed by Newcastle United PL2 on Tuesday, October 13 (7pm) and Leeds United PL2 on Tuesday, November 3 (7pm).

The top two teams in Group C will progress to the quarter-finals, with the knockout stages taking place in January, February and March.

Hartlepool United 0 Middlesbrough 10 (F. Coulson (5', 50', 70', 90'), L. Campbell (8', 52'), E. Tika-Lemba (37'), D. James (54'), L. Kakai (60'), L. Harrison (65') .

HUFC starting XI: Fisher, Basiru, Darcy (C), Standing, Penman, (sub O. Duthie 47) Ilunga, (sub Worth, 1 min), Penprase, Hunter (sub Thornton, 1 min), Aungiers, Harris (C. Smith, 1 min), Popov (Foreman, 1 min).