Lee Clark reveals half-time demands were answered in Hartlepool United's win at Hebburn Town

Lee Clark praised the ‘real character’ shown by his Hartlepool United players as they extended their perfect pre-season record with a 3-2 win at National League North club Hebburn Town.

Luke Charman, Max Kouogun and Chris Popov all found the net for Clark’s side as they edged out a hardworking and disciplined home side containing on-loan Pools youngsters Josh Donaldson and Kian Foreman. The latter of that duo had cancelled out Charman’s opener - but even a late goal from Hebburn summer signing Jake Charles could not prevent Pools from claiming a fourth win in as many pre-season games as they work towards day one of the National League season when Barrow visit Victoria Park.

Although Pools edged the opening 45 minutes, the improvement throughout the second-half showed all of the hallmarks of the high-intensity and energetic play Clark has suggested he will look to implement when the competitive action gets underway next month. The Pools boss revealed he called for ‘one or two improvements’ from his players during the break and was left delighted by their positive response to his demands.

He told The Mail: “What has really pleased me was we asked for one or two improvements at half-time, and the players certainly delivered so that shows me they have tremendous character and they are ready to do anything they can to win football matches. It’s not just that they are talented, they’ve got real character, determination and desire and that will stand us in good stead over the season.”

Improved

One of the more unusual aspects of a promising night for the Pools boss was watching his side go head-to-head with two players that he sent on loan to their opponents. Young winger Foreman joined the Hornets for a second time last week and he was followed by former Newcastle United academy striker Donaldson after he agreed to spend the first half of the new season at the Trustmark Group Stadium.

It was Foreman that grabbed Hebburn’s opening goal of the game as he cut inside another former Hornets loan signing, Campbell Darcy, before curling an outstanding effort beyond Pools’ trialist goalkeeper to get his side back on level-terms five minutes before half-time. Clark was impressed with Foreman and Donaldson’s performances against their parent club and backed Hebburn to ensure they return to Pools as ‘more rounded and improved players’.

He said: “I know they’ll get coached really well. We love the setup here, they’re great people and the level they’re playing at is a tough level. So we feel Kian and Josh will be well looked after and we have seen tonight, I was delighted with how they have performed against us and I am under no doubts they will come back to us as more rounded and improved players.”

Pools will return to pre-season action on Saturday when League Two club Grimsby Town are the visitors to Victoria Park before they round off their friendly fixtures with a home clash against Fleetwood Town seven days later.

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