Will Harris thriving on pressure after Hartlepool United debut goal
Will Harris marked his competitive debut for Hartlepool United with a goal in Saturday’s home win against National League rivals Barrow.
Will Harris has set his targets for his first season with Hartlepool United after marking his competitive debut with a goal in Saturday’s home win against National League rivals Barrow.
The former Gateshead and Spennymoor Town striker was repeatedly linked with a move to Victoria Park earlier in the summer after he scored 22 goals and provided five assists in 48 appearances in all competitions for FC Halifax Town last season. After seeing off competition from several rivals for the 25-year-old’s signature, Pools handed Harris a two-year deal and that agreement could be extended into a third season if an option in the contract is triggered.
Halifax disputed the move in the days after Harris’ deal was confirmed after they stated they had triggered an option in his contract at The Shay - but the striker is officially a Pools player and he showed why head coach Lee Clark and head of recruitment Chris Beech were so keen to secure his services with some impressive performances in pre-season.
Harris wasted little time in making an impact on his competitive debut as he produced a devastatingly clinical finish to put Pools in front against Barrow before fellow new arrival Jack Nolan doubled the lead to secure an impressive three points with just five minutes left on the clock.
As he assessed his debut for the club, Harris admitted there is pressure on him to live up to the hype that surrounded his arrival and immediately set his target on improving on his tally of 22 league goals he racked up last season.
Speaking after finding the net against the Bluebirds, the striker said: “There’s obviously pressure on me to deliver but I know I’m capable of that. All the noise off the field is irrelevant to me. I know what I’ve been brought in for, it’s why I chose Hartlepool. I’m here to score goals and I’ve done that [in Saturday’s win] and long may that continue. I got 22 in the league last year and I’d like to get more than that. I don’t see why I can’t.”
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